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CABA
When I suffered a complete mental breakdown that culminated in me being sectioned and my business being taken over for free, a good friend of mine - who is also a CA - contacted CABA to see if they could help me in any way and was told that they could do nothing and offer no support. I subsequently tried myself upon my discharge and was met with a wail of indifference and silence. CABA - in my opinion - IS NOT FIT FOR PURPOSE.
Albert Camus
Work to live - dont live to work.
Like any profession accountants need to realise that they work to live, they do not live to work.
At the first sign of stress a decent employer (and there are very few around) should immediately recognise the signs and take steps to reduce the stress levels for that member of staff. Being "stressed" does NOT mean they are inferior, unsuited, or "cant cope". It simply means that a combination (usually of work stress AND some private problems) have combined to push them to the point where they feel they cannot cope.
Temporarily lightening their work load may help - BUt its important not to let them feel they are losing control of their work as that can add to the stress. The LAST thing you should do is anything that makes them feel their job or their future is under threat, or, that they are in any way less well thought of.
A quiet chat, nothing formal, just a chat by the coffee machine or whilst outside on a "cigarrette break" or whatever may give a clue of outside pressures. Maybe a relative is ill - in which case some instant holiday might be an idea - or maybe it's some money worry, in which case guaranteeing a bank loan, or even lending them money yourselvf, might be the answer (you need to know and trust your staff to do this).
Usually its something simple and easily resolved that is causing the problem.
We've had people stressed because of car troubles - answer - lend them a company car.
We've had people stressed because of financial problems - answer - we've sorted them out lower mortgage payment, bank loans etc.
We've had people stressed by work - answer - reschedule their duties to something they are happy with.
We've had people worried about exams - answer - study leave and mentoring.
Sorting out stress is usually not a great problem - recognising it and catching it before it becomes a serious problem is the key. The problem is that the vast majority of managers and business owners dont recognise signs of stress because they dont mix with their staff, if they do mix their staff feel they are unaproachable, and because they dont know their staff as individuals and people they dont recognise changes in behaviour or attitude.
CABA are unable to discuss individual cases, due to confidentiality issues. However, we can say that our stress support services, introduced around two years ago in response to the needs of chartered accountants, have helped hundreds of people both through courses and individual support. For more information on how CABA may be able to help you, please telephone: 01788 556366 or visit www.caba.org.uk. Please note that CABA are unable to provide technical business support.
Peggy Jenkins, Head of Operations, CABA
CABA
My problems started in May 2008, came to a head in Sept 2008, were formally diagnosed in Jan 2009. My friend contacted you in March 2009 and I contacted you in May 2009. This is within the last two years in which your scheme has been running. I was told, directly and indirectly through my friend, that CABA could not help me in any way. My experience remains unaltered by your comments.
Albert Camus
Only a quarter???
"...More than a quarter of accountants said they drink in excess of the recommended level... "
Only a quarter??? Can't help thinking a lot of the remaining 75% are being less than honest!
I am CGMA through CIMA, I have just established a tool aimed at professionals in need of support please visit www.mindfulnessforprofessionals.net