On the surface, it may seem that trauma and stress are not issues that needs to be considered by the majority of UK businesses.

The truth is however, that trauma and stress will affect every business in the UK. Today, workplace trauma and stress is costing organisations many millions of pounds a year in lost productivity, staff absenteeism, low morale and ever increasing levels of litigation.

Typically, organisations can be affected directly by trauma and stress in the shape of:

	Violence
	Bullying
	Stress
	Workplace accidents/incidents
	Racial and Sexual Harassment

But it is not just incidents occurring at work that can cost organisations. Incidents the employee may experience out of work, in road traffic accident’s, medical difficulties, or muggings can directly affect the business they work for (see other pages)

According to research conducted by the Trades Union Congress, workplace violence is considered the fastest growing workplace safety issue in the UK. 

Whether it is a violent act carried out on one employee by another,including harassment and verbal assault or the employee has been involved in a violent act as a result of work (eg robbed at gunpoint whilst working at a petrol station) the effects can be devastating.

The Chartered Institute of Personnel has also conducted research showing that 1 in 8 UK employees have been bullied within a five-year period and more than half of employees believe bullying is commonplace in their organisation.

Bullying in the workplace happens and if left unchecked, the results for the victim can literally be fatal. 

(For more detailed information on the effects of bullying and violence, see the bullying and violence at work pages)

Whether it is an employee who has been involved in an unforeseen and traumatic incident or staff have become the victims of workplace violence or bullying, trauma is an issue that organisations cannot afford to ignore. 

As an employer, you need to ensure you are doing all you can to meet the duty of care responsibilities placed upon you.

To The Red Poppy Company provides organisations with the specialist infrastructure needed to deal with all forms of trauma and stress.

From helping all staff manage the personal effects of unexpected, traumatic incidents, allowing them to remain an efficient and contributing employee, through to training managers and senior staff to spot the symptoms of trauma and instigate effective treatment.

Trauma and stress affects an organisation's bottom line directly. With support from the Red Poppy Company, those affects can be significantly reduced.