Relate Press Releases
JUL 10 / Is work ruining our lives
Prof Cary Cooper CBE, Distinguished Professor of Organisational Psychology & Health, Lancaster University, will show how poor management causes stress and other health problems when he delivers the fourth Annual Relate Institute Lecture in London tomorrow (21 July at noon). The President of Relate will say that as the recession continues, employers must prioritise the mental health and wellbeing of their staff.
Professor Cooper highlights research that shows the extent to which the workplace dominates the lives of working parents with 34 per cent of working parents (who work more than 45 hours per week) spending 1 hour or less with their children on weekdays. He will also question whether advances in family friendly working can survive in the new age of austerity. In June 2010, business leaders at The Times CEO Summit identified ‘taking on the unions over flexible working (alongside pay and pensions)’ as a key priority for government in reforming the public sector.
Cary Cooper said: “How we manage human beings increases in importance as the economy contracts. Whatever the industry or profession, from the top down, good workplace relationships are fundamental to people’s health and wellbeing. Healthy workplace relationships are good for society as workers can enjoy their home-life more, and they are of vital importance to employers looking at retention levels.
Relate, the relationship people, understands the importance of healthy relationships among couples and families - this learning should be embraced by employers to help them improve the emotional wellbeing of their staff.”
The Relate Institute Lecture series aims to stimulate thinking and debate on the key issues within public policy and to give prominent public figures the chance to talk about families, and emotional health and wellbeing. Last year Nick Clegg gave a keynote speech on the need for Government to provide more support to couple and family relationships during the recession
The Relate Institute – a partnership between the national charity Relate and Doncaster College – is a training and research academy for relationship studies. It offers foundation level training through to Masters Degree equipping 350 students to work with couples, families, and young people every year. Each course provides a pathway to accreditation with a professional body and is validated by the University of Hull.
Ends
For further press information contact Cath Allen in the Relate press office 020 7554 2885 Catherine.allen@relate.org.uk
Notes to Editors
• The fourth Relate Institute Annual Lecture will take place at midday on 21st July at Sixty One Whitehall, London, SW1A2ET – press wishing to attend should contact Cath Allen on: 020 7554 2885 or Jessica Faulkner on: 020 7554 2887
• Professor Cary Cooper is Distinguished Professor of Organizational Psychology and Health at Lancaster University. He has published a wide range of academic and research titles and is a regular media commentator. He was awarded a CBE in 2001 for his contribution to occupational safety and health.
• Relate’s services extend beyond couple counselling to family counselling, counselling for young people, online counselling, sex therapy and relationship skills workshops
• Relate works in schools, primary care settings, prisons, and with local authorities on homelessness prevention services
• Relate supports 150,000 people each year in over 600 locations in England, Wales and Northern Ireland
• Relate has a work-force of 2,000 people nationwide
• For more information and advice visit: www.relate.org.uk