Birmingham Airport has appointed workplace consultants In Equilibrium to deliver stress training courses to key staff.
The Managers Managing Stress courses, which will run before the busy Easter holiday period, is designed to help line managers to spot the signs of stress early so that remedial action can be taken to minimise its impact.
It also enables managers to meet their legal and Health and Safety Executive compliance responsibilities in assessing and managing stress risks at work.
Alastair Taylor, Director, In Equilibrium, said: “Working in any busy airport can take its toll on staff, especially in the traditionally busy summer months, when passenger numbers passing though the terminals can reach its peak.
“Adding to that pressure are the tight security levels which have to be maintained at airports in the aftermath of 9/11 and mentally having to deal with that potential threat every day.
“No two days are ever the same for those working at an airport and the challenges faced can be varied. From welcoming diverted aircraft from other airports due to adverse weather, to dealing with passengers facing flight cancellations, staff need to be ready for a whole host of challenging situations.
“Birmingham Airport is to be congratulated for taking the initiative to head off stress problems before they appear and for putting the best possible support mechanisms in place.”
Birmingham International is the UK’s sixth largest airport, third largest for charter traffic and has the highest proportion of business traffic second only to London Heathrow.
In 2008, Birmingham Airport celebrated a record year, handling over nine-and-a-half million passengers through its two terminals and acts as the Midland’s premier gateway to Europe, Scandinavia, North America, the Middle East and Indian sub-continent.
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Around 150 companies on site currently employ more than 7,000 people. The Airport Company itself has around 600 employees.
In Equilibrium offers in-house training courses and consultancy throughout the UK, designed to help organisations create an environment where staff are resilient and well-being is enhanced, therefore helping staff respond positively to challenges and to perform at their best.
