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#1 Posted : 16 March 2007 14:47:00(UTC)
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Posted By Lala
Hi

A friend of mine is a Sales and Marketing person for a company. He has to travel overseas a lot. He has been experiencing stress as well as a fairly serious WRULD. His company have so far not given him any help or advice.

I have quite a few ideas for him but I wondered if there is any literature or guidance specifically for sales persons or employees who have to travel for work.

Many thanks
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#2 Posted : 16 March 2007 14:59:00(UTC)
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Posted By Jim Walker
DSE regs have plenty to say about using laptop keyboards, which I assume is the cause of the WRULD
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#3 Posted : 16 March 2007 15:06:00(UTC)
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Posted By Hazel Harvey
Lala,
If you have a look in the 'technical information' part of this site, you will find a document 'Safety in the Global Village'. This might address some of your issues.

Hazel Harvey
Director of Professional Affairs
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#4 Posted : 16 March 2007 15:53:00(UTC)
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Posted By Kieran J Duignan
Lala

In relation to your statement that your friend
'has been experiencing stress as well as a fairly serious WRULD', the Robens Institute of Health Ergonomics published a survey, funded by the HSE, in 2004 indicating significant correlations between the two conditions.

Both of them can either become horrendously troublesome or a stimulus to developing robust psychological and physical fitness. Travelling 'overseas' (what an 'old Empire' expression!) may well be disturbing his circadian rhythms and draining his energy due to recurrent lack of sleep, which is non-trivial for those who suffer the problem.

As he hasn't been supported so far by his employer, he's fairly vulnerable as his business results may also dip or worse.

If a conversation by him with his Sales Director doesn't get a commitment for immediate profssional help, I suggest that your friend invests in consulting an ergonomist who's a CMIOSH and a chartered occupational psychologist for an assessment; he can then use this report to press for an suitable risk management by his employer as well as a refund of his investment - if they don't provide the necessary support, the unpalatable alternative may be constructive dismissal.
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#5 Posted : 16 March 2007 15:58:00(UTC)
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Posted By Jim Walker
Good advice Kieran, you don't happen to know someone who fits your description do you?
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#6 Posted : 16 March 2007 16:10:00(UTC)
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Posted By Kieran J Duignan
Jim

A search on the websites of The Ergnomics Society, The British Psychological Society and the IOSH Consultancy register provide data on available options.
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#7 Posted : 21 March 2007 11:08:00(UTC)
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Posted By Lala
Thanks for the comments. I have already advised my friend just as Kieran has stated. I've also given some pointers for control with respect to working time and management, DSE, homeworking, dealing with stress etc. The company were completely unaware of their duties but have so far been receptive. My friend has been receiving physio for a month and also practices the Alexander Technique which works well.

I was actually wondering if there was specific literature for employees who travel as part of their job but by applying the basic principles of safety I have managed to give a good starting point.
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