FAQs for Stress Indicator Tool

Q: What is the Stress Indicator Tool?

A: Industry experts at HSE have developed and created an online Stress Indicator Tool (SIT) that measures the attitudes and perceptions of employees towards work-related stress. Complementing HSE's Management Standards for Stress, the tool features a survey of questions and assesses six key areas of work design that, if not managed properly, are known to be the likely root causes.

Q: What is the purpose of the Stress Indicator Tool?

A: SIT is used and trusted by organisations of all sizes, across all industry sectors. Its core purpose is to assess, analyse and report stress management effectively within a workforce. Obtaining and understanding this data will help develop an effective health and wellbeing strategy for the organisation overtime.

Q: How do I use/purchase the Stress Indicator Tool?

A: The Stress Indicator Tool is available either for free or as an enhanced premium version.

The free tool is available online and allows an organisation to survey up to 50 employees per annum - ideal for small businesses, or for larger business to test the tool before upgrading to the premium tool.

The premium tool is for any organisation that wants to survey over 50 employees. For licence pricing based on your organisation size, please contact TSO customer service team who will be able to assist you. Call +44 (0)333 202 5070 or email hseorders@tso.co.uk

Q: How many times can I use the free version?

A: You can use the free SIT once per year (a maximum of 50 employees invited to participate).

Q: Can I set up multiple free licenses/accounts?

A: No, that would be against the terms of use for the free tool, a larger license size will need to be acquired.

Q: How many respondents can complete the survey?

A: Each account may invite the number of employees matching their licence size per annum. For example; a licence for 500 employees will allow you to invite 500 employees to participate.

Q: How can I get the most out of the system?

A: The tool is self-serve and we have many videos and content to support a tool user via the help pages. The TSO customer service team are all fully trained in using and operating SIT. Therefore, we are available to support you with any questions you may have. Please call +44 (0)333 202 5070 or email hseorders@tso.co.uk.

Q: How do I send the survey for participants to complete?

A: Once the survey has been created, the system will provide an automated link that you can email through your usual internal communication channels.

Q: How is access to the responses managed and how many administrator licences are provided?

A: This video demonstration provides a comprehensive overview of the administration portal and how to access the various sections.

Currently, administrative access is limited to one global user within the organisation. However, we are investigating the development of the system to grant access at local level - for example, access for each country manager, under a global user licence.

Q: Are the responses to the survey anonymous and how can you guarantee data security?

A: All responses to the survey are kept anonymous and do not include personal data, so participants can answer truthfully without feeling pressured. All responses to the survey are stored on a secure server, which is maintained in the UK.

Q: How long does the survey stay active for and can it be set manually?

A: There is capability within the tool to schedule start and end dates. Once the end date has passed the survey link will no longer be active.

Q: How long after completion are the responses available to review?

A: The data is available for review once a minimum of 10 responses have been collected. After this point, the administrator can reload the report and analyse it as often as they require. It will also provide the total number of surveys completed.

Q: Can we survey departments separately at different times and is there a limit?

A: You can choose to send the survey at different times rather than sending it to the whole organisation. The results can be consolidated to provide a complete review across your organisation.

Q: What reports are generated for administrators?

A: All historical and current reports are available to the administrator throughout the subscription period. An example report is available here (PDF)link opens in a new window.

Q: How does the licence model work if the number of employees changes? For example, suppose we have 1,000 employees in year 1, but in year 2 we increase or decrease in size?

A: In this situation, we would pro-rata the cost of your current subscription and remaining period, and credit it against a higher or lower level subscription. Therefore, you will only pay to top up to the next band that you require. Any renewals or annual charges would be increased or lowered accordingly, so you are only paying for the service you are using.

Q: How can you help us get the most out of the system?

A: The TSO customer service team are all fully trained in using and operating SIT. Therefore, we are available to support you with any questions you may have. Please call +44 (0)333 202 5070 or email hseorders@tso.co.uk.

Q: Are previous years' data stored in the system and can we benchmark against it to monitor improvement?

A: Yes, previous years' survey results will remain in the system for the duration of your subscription.

Q: Where is the Stress Indicator Tool hosted?

A: The survey and the data it records are hosted on a HSE dedicated server in the UK, with UKFast managed by Snap Surveys, who are fully ISO 27001 accredited. More details can be found here:

Q: Are the survey and administration portal only available on weekdays?

A: The survey and administration portal are available to you 24/7 for the duration of your subscription. Current figures indicate an 99.9% uptime rate.

Q: What internet browsers are supported and does the survey work on mobiles and tablet devices?

A: The survey is fully tablet/mobile optimised and is supported on all internet browsers. The administration portal requires an internet browser on a desktop PC or laptop, as it is not mobile optimised.

Q: Are there regular periods of downtime for essential maintenance?

A: Downtime for maintenance is irregular and will be communicated to you in advance.

Q: What is your process for handling enquiries and your SLA around response times?

A: TSO will be your main point of contact for all enquiries. We will work with HSE and Snap Surveys as and when required. TSO will automatically record any support requests in a customer care database and respond accordingly to enquiries.

TSO customer service team is fully operational Monday to Friday 08:00 to 18:00:

Telephones answered within 30 seconds: 95% response rate.

Emails replied to within 2 working days of receipt: 100% response rate.

Q: How do we give feedback to you on potential improvements to the system?

A: We are continually improving our products/systems and actively encourage feedback from users. If you have any suggestions, please email hseorders@tso.co.uk

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