Russell Professional Group provides customised people and risk management solutions, developed in partnership with our clients. Click on the case studies below to learn more about how we work with organisations, and can assist you to achieve the results you desire.
Training Managers in Stress Identification and Prevention
The Client:
Large government health organisation
The Goal:
To introduce middle and senior Managers to a simple, widely researched framework that would assist them to recognise and tackle stress in their staff.
The Solution:
Russell Professional Group designed a customised training program based upon the Stress Management Standards framework, researched and developed by the Health and Safety Executive in the United Kingdom. The training was designed to provide Managers with practical tools to assist them in identifying, managing and preventing work related stress. Following training, Managers had the opportunity to access telephone and face-to-face coaching to support them in dealing with staff issues in real time.
The Results:
Following a 3-month pilot, Managers reported feeling more confident in recognising and addressing signs of stress in their staff, and have incorporated the tools provided in the training in their regular employee appraisal process. The number of stress related compensation claims and grievances has reduced. In addition, the government has made a decision to introduce this framework as a standard risk management approach, making this health organisation a leader in the campaign to tackle work related stress.
Strategic Development with a Non-Profit Organisation
The Client:
Community non-profit organisation
The Goal:
To evaluate the organisation's culture and identity to inform organisational and strategic planning.
The Solution:
Russell Professional Group facilitated a staff workshop to gauge internal perceptions of the values and culture of the organisation. This was followed by a focus group in which information was elicited from external clients about how they perceived the organisation. The findings were presented in a comprehensive written report, after which a strategic planning exercise was conducted with the Board and senior members of the organisation, to identify specific ways in which the organisation's core values could be translated into reinforceable behaviours.
The Results:
Internal and external clients provided a valuable lens on the organisation's strengths, and areas for improvement. Senior managers also appreciated the benefits that were gained by involving key stakeholders in the organisational development process. The process illuminated the current culture and identified specific behaviours that, when reinforced, would continue to reflect the organisation's guiding principles.
Early Intervention Program to Address Workplace Stress
The Client:
Large government organisation – roads and infrastructure
The Goal:
To coordinate the provision of appropriate employee support mechanisms for an individual who sustained significant stress symptoms following prolonged workplace conflict, facilitate recovery and ensure a timely and durable return to work.
The Solution:
As part of the Early Intervention program, the individual received independent psychological support from a Russell Professional Group consultant. The individual and the consultant worked together to identify personal and organisational stressors, and establish a goal-oriented action plan. A detailed return to work program was developed in collaboration with the individual, their immediate supervisor, and the organisation's Rehabilitation Coordinator. Prior to returning to work, the consultant facilitated a mediated discussion between the individual and a coworker to discuss unresolved interpersonal issues and assist them to come to mutual agreements in relation to future behaviours. The immediate supervisor was provided with individual coaching and support to assist their management of the return to work program and ongoing workplace needs.
The Results:
The individual recovered fully and resumed work in a timely manner. The immediate supervisor expressed appreciation for the intensive assistance provided to both the individual and the organisation through the Early Intervention Program. The co-worker also expressed gratitude for the opportunity to address and resolve long-standing issues.
Management Assistance Program
The Client:
Large government organisation - resource management
The Goal:
To provide training and support for middle and senior Managers in building people management skills, managing workplace stress and dealing with difficult staff situations.
The Solution:
Russell Professional Group conducted the Management Assistance Program (MAP) over an 8-month time frame. The program included seven 3-hour workshops covering the following topics:
- Managing Staff Stress
- Managing Personal Stress
- Effective Communication
- Conflict Resolution
- Change Management
- Dealing with Difficult Personalities
- Games People Play at Work
Managers had the opportunity to access telephone and face-to-face coaching to support them in dealing with difficult staff situations throughout the program. Focus groups and surveys were conducted with participants before and after the program to ensure that their development needs were met and to review program effectiveness.
The Results:
Survey and focus group results showed that there were increases in self-ratings for all identified key aspects of people management. Participants reported that their skills in managing conflict, identifying and managing staff stress, reflecting upon and addressing their individual management style and their ability to manage personal stress had increased by 24 to 37%. They commented that MAP differed from other programs in that it assisted Managers in dealing with the challenging issues specific to them, and was "not just another program telling (us) what to do."
Mediation to Resolve Interpersonal Conflict
The Client:
Large private sector information technology provider
The Goal:
To resolve long standing interpersonal conflict between two senior level Managers that was having a detrimental impact on performance at both the individual and team levels.
The Solution:
Russell Professional Group facilitated a mediation between the two Managers, with both parties being given the opportunity to present their concerns, while also learning of the impact their behaviour had on the other. The mediation allowed the parties to effectively communicate their concerns and issues for the first time in over 12 months.
The Results:
As a result of the mediation, the parties were able to generate a signed statement of agreement regarding future actions and behaviours. Mediation evaluation forms indicated that both Managers were "highly satisfied" with the outcome and process. A 6-week follow up review revealed that both parties continued to comply with agreed behaviours, and that productivity and team morale had improved.
Rapid Response Intervention™
Since the inception of the Rapid Response Intervention™, Russell Professional Group has achieved outstanding results in reducing risk and minimising organisational costs. A recent evaluation of the program over a three-month period demonstrated the following results:
- 60% of individuals referred to the program did not go on to lodge a WorkCover claim
- 15% of individuals referred exited the organisation on mutually amicable terms
- 7% of individuals referred withdrew existing WorkCover claims
Follow up evaluation of the program further indicated a positive increase in both morale and productivity with consequential decreases in conflict, absenteeism and the time and resources previously required to manage the issues. Importantly, several employers indicated that through the Rapid Response Intervention™ they developed greater insight into the causative factors of distress in their workplace and have since initiated efforts to further reduce the likelihood of a reoccurrence.