OFFICER health and wellbeing is at risk from presenteeism \u2013 working when you are ill or working when you should be on leave.<\/p>\n
South Yorkshire Police Federation Chairman Steve Kent says officer welfare is at the top of his agenda and that they need to get the right amount of rest and recuperation.<\/p>\n
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He\u2019s backing calls from the Superintendents\u2019 Association to ensure their members take the breaks they need and encourage officers to do the same.<\/p>\n
\u201cI totally agree with the Superintendents\u2019 Association,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n
\u201cPresenteeism can, in my view, have a profound effect on people\u2019s health and life quality. We\u2019ve all been to work when we\u2019re poorly and probably not fit for work, but what\u2019s that achieved?<\/p>\n
\u201cYou\u2019ve then had a situation when you subsequently performed below par for days and weeks after because you\u2019re worn out when a day or two out could have reset your batteries.<\/p>\n
\u201cI passionately believe that if people need a rest and a break they should take it. That goes for all ranks. The fear of letting people above and below down, the feeling I\u2019m letting people down, has got to change.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt needs a culture change and with respect to the police a better understanding from managers of all ranks really to understand the regulations and working time directives in more details,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe default position in my view, and this has always been the case, always should be to support rather than to punish and discipline. When people reach that point they do need to take a step back and they should be supported if they need to do that.\u201d<\/p>\n
Steve hopes the leadership shown by the Superintendents Association will filter through to all officers.<\/p>\n
\u201cThere\u2019s a bit of a macho mentality that if you go off and you go off because you\u2019ve got a bit of work- related stress or whatever that you\u2019re less of a cop. I think that\u2019s changing a little bit.<\/p>\n
We need to have that focus on mental health as well as physical health. We\u2019re all too good at risk assessing jobs in case we get physically hurt and we stand off. But we don\u2019t stand off on mental health reasons for our officers, do we?<\/p>\n
\u201cIt\u2019s not treated in the same way at all and as far as I\u2019m concerned I\u2019d rather have a broken nose than suffer with severe stress. One of them can last for months and years potentially, and one of them can last a couple of weeks.<\/p>\n
\u201cI think that message of support rather than punish needs to come from leadership.\u201d<\/p>\n