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Call
for courtesy as pregnancy stress levels soar
MIND the Bump report reveals Britons are ignoring needs of
mums-to-be. A new report released last week calls for greater
consideration to be given to mums-to-be, as 67% of pregnant women
cite rude and discourteous behaviour as a growing source of anxiety
during pregnancy. The 'Mind the Bump' study,
commissioned by London Underground (LU), examined the treatment of
pregnant women across the UK to mark the launch of its Baby on Board
badges, which encourage people to give up their seats for pregnant
passengers on the Tube.
The national study found that expectant mums currently feel few
allowances are made for their condition in day-to-day life. From
restaurants that ignore dietary requirements to bosses and
colleagues who fail to accept that pregnant employees have to slow
down, the research highlights the need for people to behave more
considerately towards mums-to-be. Key findings include:-
* 38% of pregnant women felt nervous and worried when shopping
because of the boisterous and pushy behaviour of fellow shoppers;
* 31% frequently felt they had to avoid public transport for fear of
having to stand for the duration of the journey;
* Almost 1 in 5 found staff in restaurants to be rude and
unaccommodating of their dietary requirements;
* A further 16% felt their needs were overlooked by employers;
* Women are working longer into their pregnancies than ever before,
with almost half working past the recommended cut off point of 36
weeks.
The research also showed that commuters in particular are failing to
offer much-needed assistance or extend courtesy to mums-to-be, with
pregnant passengers standing for an average of 5 stops before they
were offered a seat, and 35% of mums-to-be never being offered a
seat during pregnancy.
The roll out of the Baby on Board initiative follows preliminary
research and a successful trial carried out in summer 2005, and is
designed to help women feel more confident and comfortable in using
the Tube during pregnancy, and enable passengers to easily identify
those in need of a seat.
Backing the initiative and commenting on the implications for the
wellbeing of pregnant women, Dame Karlene Davis, General Secretary
of the Royal College of Midwives, said:- "Offering assistance
and support to pregnant women is not just a matter of courtesy; it's
a matter of health. Pregnancy is stressful enough without extra
fears and worries about coping with difficult and intimidating
situations when out and about. "The Baby on Board badges are a
great idea for pregnant women and fellow passengers alike - they
will help people identify those in need of a seat and in turn make
journeys less traumatic for mums-to-be."
LU Marketing Communications Manager, Elizabeth Norris, said:-
"Our research found that a vast number of mums-to-be find standing
on the Tube throughout their pregnancy very difficult, but one in
three are too embarrassed to ask a fellow passenger to give up their
seat. In the early stages of pregnancy in particular, it's
difficult for people to identify pregnant women, who often feel
tired, sick and even faint during these first few months, so being
offered a seat makes tube travel safer and more comfortable.
The Baby on Board badge is designed to help women at all stages of
pregnancy feel more confident in using the Tube, and make journeys
less awkward for pregnant women and fellow passengers."
Further findings of the study included:-
* In addition to their impact on their health, pregnant women are
losing out financially, with a whopping £49.5 million spent every
year on taxis and private vehicles by expectant mums who are unable
to face standing on public transport;
* 32% had feared for their health and safety at least once during
their pregnancy because of the behaviour of others around them;
* London is the least pregnancy-friendly place in the UK, with 45%
of London mums having been shocked by the lack of consideration they
were shown while pregnant. Wales was revealed to be the most
pregnancy-friendly area of the country, with 6% expectant mums
experiencing inconsiderate treatment.
LU Baby on Board badges are available from the LU Customer Services
Centre (0845 330 9880), health authorities, GPs and midwives.
The initiative is part of a wider 'Better Behaviour' campaign
by LU, which aims to improve the experience of travelling on the
tube by encouraging passengers to be more aware of their actions and
surroundings. |
Fear
of failure and suspicion
SENIOR managers in the North West are blaming an atmosphere
of ‘corporate caution’ for the obstructions they face when it
comes to making decisions. According to the results of surveys by
the Chartered Management Institute, managers in the region are not
afraid of decision-making, but they are battling against a culture
of suspicion and fear.
The findings, which are taken from research projects conducted over
the past 16 months, show that 71% of managers in the region believe
their organisation’s culture has an impact on decision-making. Asked
to identify the dominant culture in their organisation, 22% spoke of
workplace environments dominated by secrecy and suspicion. Only a
minority suggested they have the freedom to make decisions, with 10%
referring to an ‘entrepreneurial’ culture. With only 7%
of managers saying that making decisions at work is difficult, it is
clear they are not afraid to make choices. However, the research
studies highlight cultural barriers can hinder the decision-making
process.
Key findings include:-
* Fear of failure: 24% of managers in the North West say their
organisation’s culture is ‘risk averse’. Asked about
decisions that have been made against their better judgement, 24%
said it was the result of bureaucratic processes.
* Lack of trust: Only 13% of managers say their organisation
exhibits a trusting culture and 8% are given ‘sign off’
responsibility
* Reactive not responsive: 41% claim their organisation’s
culture is reactive and 7% are wary of the ‘suspicious’
nature of employers. With these views in mind it is no wonder 30% of
managers in the region suggest their organisation responds to change
in an ad hoc, haphazard, fashion.
According to the results, the region’s managers also care deeply
about the impact their decisions have on others. 19% admit to
reflecting on decisions, after they have been made. The majority
(69%) are more concerned about the impact their decisions have on
their employer, with only a tiny minority (2%) admitting their
primary concern is their own career. Demonstrating that they
understand the effect decisions can have on others, many managers
also expressed a desire to be answerable for the choices they make.
24% suggested that ‘accountability’ is a vital element of
decision-making and 7% cited ‘responsibility’.
Jo Causon, director, marketing and corporate affairs at the
Chartered Management Institute, says:- “In contrast to
populist stereotypes, managers are passionate about the impact their
decisions have on others. However, they appear to be working in
environments where decision-making is regarded with an element of
fear. No one is suggesting that caution should be thrown to the
wind, but if morale, performance and productivity are to be improved
organisations need to create a culture where decisions can be
reached based on empowerment and entrepreneurial spirit.”
Reacting to the findings, the Chartered Management Institute has
created a resource for managers to help them make decisions. A
series of management checklists, diagnostic tools and general advice
is freely available via
managers.org.uk/2006.
From 30 March 2006 the micro-site will also host answers to
decision-making dilemmas, with advice provided by Sir Michael Bichard, Terry Corby (Accenture), Philip Dewhurst (BNFL) and Andrew
Summers (Brandsmiths).
Child's play in the playground
LIVERPOOL youngsters are being encouraged out of the
classroom and into the playground. It is part of a massive
drive to get children aged up to 5 out of doors and learning in the
fresh air, using the environment to develop their language and
communication skills.
Interactive play areas are to be created at Ellergreen Early Years
Centre, Kensington Community Infants, The Trinity RC Primary and
Barlows Primary school. Pupils from other schools in each area will
also benefit from the scheme. Special equipment, including
giant wooden bricks, tyres and ropes, is being installed, funded
through the Excellence in Cities programme. There will also be
areas for outdoor storytelling sessions, eating and projects such as
den-making.
The City Council wants youngsters attending the network of 24
Children's Centres currently being created across Liverpool to
benefit in the same way.
Councillor Jan Clein, assistant executive member for children's
services, said:- "Some youngsters spend far too long cooped up
indoors at home watching the television or playing computer games.
Encouraging them to take an interest in the outdoor world around
them at a young age will stretch their imagination and hopefully
become a habit that stays with them for life. Our Children's
Centres offer a brilliant indoor learning environment and we should
also make as much use of the outdoor space as we possibly can."
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