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Images of seniors, adults, and children
Work/Life Programs

Traumatic or Systemic Stress
in the Workplace

OVERVIEW

Agencies sometimes encounter large scale stress situations whose scope is too large for any one program to handle alone. An agency may need to rebuild after a disaster robs it of staff and facilities. Or it may face long-term severe stress in response to organizational change. These situations require a coordinated response including administrative approaches, communication strategies, health care and counseling services for employees, and many other responses that traditionally involve professional staff from many disciplines.

We provide expert consultation to agencies concerned with large-scale stress, emphasizing the development of a total agency response that builds on the strengths of the organization and draws strength and expertise from a variety of organizations and programs. We advise agencies on the management of specific traumatic situations, and also help with the development of plans, policies, and other mechanisms to deal with traumatic events.

Guidance for agency managers can be found in our handbook, Handling Traumatic Events: A Manager's Handbook, which describes concrete steps managers can take to provide effective leadership after a traumatic event.

Download Guide in PDF Format   Link to Get Adobe Acrobat
*To view the PDF document, you will need the Adobe Acrobat Reader. Please click on the Acrobat icon to download your free Reader (need Help?).

This Guide is also available for purchase from the Superintendent of Documents for $4 a copy (call 202-512-1800).

Additional Links

Questions or comments may be mailed to the Office of Work/Life Programs, U.S. Office of Personnel Management, Room 7425, Theodore Roosevelt Building, 1900 E Street, NW., Washington, DC 20415-2000. You may call us at (202) 606-5520; fax (202) 606-2091; or email ehs@opm.gov.