Suggestions that employees in smaller firms experience higher levels of stress than those in larger businesses have been denied by a leading business group. Neil Shah, the director of the Stress Management Society, had said that, compared with their larger counterparts, small businesses lacked the resources needed to help employees cope with stress. Mr Shah also argued that staff in small firms often had a range of duties to carry out and this increased the pressures on the workforce when colleagues took holidays. However, the Forum of Private Business has responded to the comments by pointing out that smaller firms, where the boss is likely to know all the staff personally, are far better at spotting stress-related problems and dealing with them in an informal manner. Matt Hardman, the FPB’s campaign’s manager, said: “The implication behind Mr Shah's comments is obviously that workers in small firms tend to be more stressed that those in large companies and receive less support. But a workplace survey has revealed that people working in small firms are happier than those working for big business.” Mr Hardman emphasised the close teamwork of many small businesses: “Everyone has to pull together and support each other. Business owners with a small staff will know their people personally, and understand how much they depend on them. They cannot afford the cost and disruption of a member of staff suffering from stress or being off sick for long periods.” While admitting that poor management exists in businesses of all sizes, Mr Hardman said that much of the stress in small firms tended to be felt by the owners themselves: “When it comes to stress in smaller businesses, all the evidence is that it is felt mainly by the owners as they struggle to comply with regulations and unfair competition from the ‘big boys’.” Date:20 July 2007
Content by: Made Simple Group
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