Health and Well-being Support Paintings Work Stress

 Hi everybody my name is Andrew Alan Matthews you can call me Andy

 Now This painting is called, I am not a number ? and is part of my turning negatives to positives collection

 This video is to help understand a stressed employees point of view at work and help people to overcome stress in a call centre, this painting was produced many years ago and is not a reflection on my current or previous employers working practices 

So can you describe what I am trying to say about this painting ?  Take a moment and use the pause button along the way and jot down your thoughts and answers during the video and have an open positive discussion.  

So This Painting is a depiction of a call centre worker in an anonymous call centre who wants to believe he is not a number but questions the reality of this.  The painting also depicts the stress of working in a call centre where the dehumanisation of workers treated as numbers by there log in codes, passwords, PC numbers, desk numbers and the never ending pursuit of tidy desk policies takes away the human element of people, leaving the feeling of being treated as just another number.  

The workers are in modern day slavery in the form of the telephone depicted as a ball and chain which they have to man for 7 hours a day to the second, there hands are handcuffed depicting the futility of there day to day struggles with stressful telephone calls, targets and pressures of the working day.  

The left hand of the painting begins with a slight human form gradually moving to the right of the picture the people begin to turn into computers depicting the ever increasing drive for efficiency and the feeling of being just a number, where the staff can be replaced by the next person in the dole queue.  

He is a number of many and like the Borg of Star Trek will be assimilated into the hive, resistance is futile. 

This was my way of bringing laughter to a stressful situation at the time. 

Now we may have all felt this way, especially when you get up go to work and come home again only to start again the next day, like groundhog day. 

So If you are questioning this, then lets move on.  Lets change that negative to a positive.  

So If you have been affected in this way what can we do to help you overcome this negative way of thinking? 

My thoughts are, You are not a number because you have thoughts feelings and emotions and not a computer or a slave. You can choose your own path in life and choose to be either negative or positive. Passwords and tidy desk policies are needed for security of data and the need for efficiency is needed To help build a more profitable company ultimately keeping you in a job. but I can see that if you get into a negative frame of mind you may feel this way. 

Turn those negatives to positives   

So What can we do differently to turn a negative to a positive ? 

 my thoughts are To help turn a negative feeling into a positive feeling we can focus on what good can be done. If you choose a positive frame of mind you will achieve positive thoughts, feelings and emotions and this will emanate from you and helps relieve stress. 

Positivity breeds positivity, negativity breeds negativity Bee positive. And Try to have some fun and laughter along the way  

So What positive things can we do to stop feeling negative ?  

my thought is to Seek help, try to relax, take deep breaths, have a break, ask for support, try to focus on what positive things can be done.  

Also Help is also out there such as. • Self help stress apps for the mobile  • CBT therapy which is cognitive behaviour therapy usually prescribed through your doctor • theres Community mental health Teams and Talking therapies  • The Company can also help If you need further support Theres also the charity MIND and stress management society           

Now Stress can be a good thing, believe it or not.  The fight or flight response is a natural process for dealing with a threat or stressful event, it helps you react to a dangerous situation such as avoiding a collision in a vehicle or perceived threat that can help you fight or run away. It’s a natural process.   however too much stress can turn into a negative and lead to illness.

How much stress is too much depends on each person individually, some can deal with a lot of stress others can deal with a little stress.  You need to strike a balance in work and home life to deal with the stress.  

So Remember always look on the bright side of life, BEE positive, seek help when you need it and try to have some fun along the way, because laughter turns a negative to a positive  

So have a discussion between yourselves  And look to see what you can do to overcome stress in a call centre   

Thanks for watching my video 

Limited Edition Signed prints available on this artwork, 

Limited to 250 prints Signed by the Artist and comes with certificate of authenticity. 

Fine Art Giclee Print on Fine at Paper 

Maximum A3 size print 11.69 x 16.53 inches price =£35incl postage & packaging in the UK

Maximum A2 size print 16.53 x 23.39 inches, price =£50 incl postage & Packaging in the UK

Postage to EU extra £20 for postage and packaging

 please use the print payment tab to place your order

 Hi everybody my name is Andrew Alan Matthews you can call me Andy

Now This painting is called, Another one of those days and is part of my turning negatives to positives collection 

This video is to help understand a stressed employees point of view at work and help people to overcome stress in a call centre, this painting was produced many years ago and is not a reflection on my current or previous employers working practices 

So can you describe what I am trying to say about this painting ? Take a moment and use the pause button along the way and jot down your thoughts and answers during the video and have an open positive discussion. 

This painting is a depiction of Call centre workers in an anonymous call centre under stress from complaints from customers, the pressures of meeting targets, deadlines, phone calls and juggling workloads in a fast paced environment. This leaves the pressurised worker under immense stress on a typical working day when call volumes are high. This painting conveys what call centre workers feel like in a pressurised working environment. 

Everybody has had one of these days. 

He is a number of many and like the Borg of Star Trek will be assimilated into the hive, resistance is futile.  

This was my way of bringing laughter to a stressful situation at the time.  So If you have been affected in this way what can we do to help you overcome this negative way of thinking? 

 So as a part of your job role complaints form a large part of your working day, how you deal with the complaint is important and you need to be in a positive frame of mind to successfully manage the complaint To a mutually beneficial solution for the customer, company and employee.  

Remember you can only deal with one call at a time and each call needs to be dealt with efficiently and appropriate for the needs of each customer.  Let your managers look for solutions of taking the calls and take the appropriate actions. Weather that means extra staff or other solutions.   

Take pressure off yourself and deal with the call you are on in a professional and timely manner. Juggling workloads is a skill gained over time. And can be stressful, Remember to prioritise the work in date order. Also prioritising urgent matters. Ask for help if you are struggling and think of solutions, turn those negatives to positives.   

So What can we do differently to turn a negative to a positive ?  

Now as I have worked in many organisations I have learnt to apologise for the customers need to complain. how to listen to the customers concerns and recapping on their points of complaint and advising the customer of what actions you will take to resolve there concerns.  More often than not the customer appreciates the time you have taken to listen to them and try to resolve the complaint. 

This can sway a customer to stay with the company This way of dealing with complaints turns a negative into a positive and is of great benefit to a company in treating customers fairly.  And should give you great satisfaction you have met the challenge of turning an unhappy customer into a customer who will spread the word of your excellent skills in listening and addressing the problem. 

Now you cannot always resolve a complaint and there will be times that the customer is still not satisfied, but if you have done everything you can to deal with the complaint you can hold your head up high and say you did your job correctly.  

So Remember for every 9 people who tell of a good service 16 people tell of a bad service. Now we are a nation of moaners and you are more than likely going to tell somebody of a bad experience. But if you get excellent service then you will  sing there praises and recommend your friends and family.  

So What positive things can we do to stop us feeling negative ? 

So my thought is to Seek help, try to relax, take deep breaths, have a break, ask for support, try to focus on what positive things can be done. Help is also out there such as. • Self help stress apps for the mobile  • CBT therapy which is cognitive behaviour therapy usually prescribed through your doctor • theres Community mental health Teams and Talking therapies • The Company can also help If you need further support. Theres also the charity MIND and stress management society  

Now Stress can be a good thing, believe it or not.  The fight or flight response is a natural process for dealing with a threat or stressful event, it helps you react to a dangerous situation such as avoiding a collision in a vehicle or perceived threat that can help you fight or run away. It’s a natural process.   however too much stress can turn into a negative and lead to illness. How much stress is too much depends on each person individually, some can deal with a lot of stress others can deal with a little stress.  You need to strike a balance in work and home life to deal with the stress.  

So Remember always look on the bright side of life, BEE positive, seek help when you need it and try to have some fun along the way, because laughter turns a negative to a positive  So have a discussion between yourselves  And look to see what you can do to overcome stress in a call centre   

Thanks for watching my video  

Limited Edition Signed prints available on this artwork, 

Limited to 250 prints Signed by the Artist and comes with certificate of authenticity. 

Fine Art Giclee Print on Fine at Paper 

Maximum A3 size print 11.69 x 16.53 inches price =£35incl postage & packaging in the UK

Maximum A2 size print 16.53 x 23.39 inches, price =£50 incl postage & Packaging in the UK

Postage to EU extra £20 for postage and packaging

 please use the print payment tab to place your order

 Hi everybody my name is Andrew Alan Matthews you can call me Andy 

Now This painting is called, Aaargh!!! and is part of my turning negatives to positives collection This video is to help understand a stressed employees point of view at work and help people to overcome stress in a call centre, this painting was produced many years ago and is not a reflection on my current or previous employers working practices  

So can you describe what I am trying to say about this painting ? Take a moment and use the pause button along the way and jot down your thoughts and answers during the video and have an open positive discussion. 

Aargh !!!! is a depiction of call centre workers in an anonymous call centre at the point of total frustration when all they can say is Aargh !!!! 

As the workers try to explain the processes of the company to the confused customers who just do not understand or do not accept the decisions that have been made even though they have explained to them in great detail.  

He is a number of many and like the Borg of Star Trek will be assimilated into the hive, resistance is futile.  

This was my way of bringing laughter to a stressful situation at the time. 

So If you have been affected in this way what can we do to help you overcome this negative way of thinking? 

 So We've all been there, you are talking to a customer and they do not accept the decisions that have been made even though you have explained to them in great detail of the processes and facts on the call.   It is easy to get frustrated when you are going around in circles with the customer  

To break that cycle , take a step back, breath, think positively and look either for a different way to explain the information. If this does not work then seek help to see if there is anything else that can be done or said to the customer to break the impasse. 

You may get a call and after explaining everything the customer is still confused, this may indicate a vulnerable customer, they may have a language barrier or a disability, look to treat the customer fairly at all times.   Listen to the customer trying to pick up on any information that may indicate this and look to help in a different way 

 Empathise with the customer and try to break things down in a logical way, in bite size chunks if needed. Turn those negatives to positives.  

 So What can we do differently to turn a negative to a positive ?  

Re focus your mind  Focus on helping the customer and thinking positively  Listen to the customer and put yourself in the customers shoes Look for a different solution to break the impasse  If you cannot resolve the situation escalate to a team manager  Try not to get stressed  Breath and take time out to calm yourself down Its important you are in a positive frame of mind when you are ready to take the next call  So if you need a break to calm down . do this for your health and well being .    

So What positive things can we do to stop us feeling negative ?  

So my thought is to Seek help, try to relax, take deep breaths, have a break, ask for support, try to focus on what positive things can be done.  • Just think how good you would feel if you were able to resolve the situation and concerns and the person thanks you for your understanding and help •  How good would that feel !! 

Help is also out there such as. • Self help stress apps for the mobile  • CBT therapy which is cognitive behaviour therapy usually prescribed through your doctor • theres Community mental health Teams and Talking therapies  • The Company can also help If you need further support Theres also the charity MIND and stress management society      

Now Stress can be a good thing, believe it or not.  The fight or flight response is a natural process for dealing with a threat or stressful event, it helps you react to a dangerous situation such as avoiding a collision in a vehicle or perceived threat that can help you fight or run away. It’s a natural process. 

 however too much stress can turn into a negative and lead to illness. How much stress is too much depends on each person individually, some can deal with a lot of stress others can deal with a little stress.  You need to strike a balance in work and home life to deal with the stress.  

So Remember always look on the bright side of life, BEE positive, seek help when you need it and try to have some fun along the way, because laughter turns a negative to a positive  

So have a discussion between yourselves  And look to see what you can do to overcome stress in a call centre   

Thanks for watching my video  

Limited Edition Signed prints available on this artwork, 

Limited to 250 prints Signed by the Artist and comes with certificate of authenticity. 

Fine Art Giclee Print on Fine at Paper 

Maximum A3 size print 11.69 x 16.53 inches price =£35incl postage & packaging in the UK

Maximum A2 size print 16.53 x 23.39 inches, price =£50 incl postage & Packaging in the UK

Postage to EU extra £20 for postage and packaging

 please use the print payment tab to place your order

 Hi everybody my name is Andrew Alan Matthews you can call me Andy 

Now This painting is called, Stress Monster number 1 and is part of my turning negatives to positives collection This video is to help understand a stressed employees point of view at work and help people to overcome stress in a call centre, this painting was produced many years ago and is not a reflection on my current or previous employers working practices   

So can you describe what I am trying to say about this painting ? 

Take a moment and use the pause button along the way and jot down your thoughts and answers during the video and have an open positive discussion.  

Now This painting is a depiction of a call centre worker in an anonymous call centre under stress from his immediate superiors. The constant pressures and shouts of “CALLS QUEUING EVERYBODY BACK IN AVAILABLE” and being forced to drop everything whilst still expected to complete his workload only adds to the stresses of the day for the poor lowly call centre worker. 

He is but a number working feverishly to achieve the targets of the day and at boiling point waiting for the next shout of “CALLS QUEUING” before he explodes into a fit of anguish and stress.  

He is a number of many and like the Borg of Star Trek will be assimilated into the hive, resistance is futile.  

This was my way of bringing laughter to a stressful situation at the time.  So If you have been affected in this way what can we do to help you overcome this negative way of thinking? 

So my thoughts are, There can be added pressure from management when there are calls queuing to try and tackle large call volumes.   Try not to look at this as management wanting to exert added pressure on you but turn the negative into a positive by understanding there are customers in need of help.  Remember you can only help one call at a time and each call needs to be dealt with efficiently and appropriate for the needs of each customer.  Let your managers look for solutions of tackling the call volumes and take the appropriate actions. Weather that means extra staff or other solutions.   

Take the pressure off yourself, Turn that negative into a positive for you. 

Juggling workloads is a skill gained over time. And can be stressful, Remember to prioritise the work in date order. Also prioritising urgent matters.   Ask for help if you are struggling and think of solutions,  Turn those negatives to positives.   

So What can we do differently to turn a negative to a positive ?  

So Your Manager is there to try and help Tackle one call at a time Try not to worry Do the best you can do Think positive thoughts if you can Bee positive Also Just think how good you would feel if you were able to resolve the situation and concerns and the person thanks you for your understanding and help How good would that feel !!   

So What positive things can we do to stop us feeling negative ?  Your manager is there to help you do the best job you can do Have a conversation and work out any problems and turn those negatives to positives. Seek help,  try to relax,  take deep breaths,  have a break and ask for support, try to focus on what positive things can be done.  

Also Help is also out there such as. • Self help stress apps for the mobile  • CBT therapy which is cognitive behaviour therapy usually prescribed through your doctor • theres Community mental health Teams and Talking therapies  • The Company can also help If you need further support Theres also the charity MIND and stress management society  

Now Stress can be a good thing, believe it or not.  The fight or flight response is a natural process for dealing with a threat or stressful event, it helps you react to a dangerous situation such as avoiding a collision in a vehicle or perceived threat that can help you fight or run away. It’s a natural process. 

  however too much stress can turn into a negative and lead to illness. How much stress is too much depends on each person individually, some can deal with a lot of stress others can deal with a little stress.  You need to strike a balance in work and home life to deal with the stress.  So Remember always look on the bright side of life, BEE positive, seek help when you need it and try to have some fun along the way, because laughter turns a negative to a positive 

 So have a discussion between yourselves  And look to see what you can do to overcome stress in a call centre   

Thanks for watching my video  

Limited Edition Signed prints available on this artwork, 

Limited to 250 prints Signed by the Artist and comes with certificate of authenticity. 

Fine Art Giclee Print on Fine at Paper 

Maximum A3 size print 11.69 x 16.53 inches price =£35incl postage & packaging in the UK

Maximum A2 size print 16.53 x 23.39 inches, price =£50 incl postage & Packaging in the UK

Postage to EU extra £20 for postage and packaging

 please use the print payment tab to place your order

 Hi everybody my name is Andrew Alan Matthews you can call me Andy 

Now This painting is called, Screwed and is part of my turning negatives to 

positives collection This video is to help understand a stressed employees point of view at work and help people to overcome stress in a call centre, this painting was produced many years ago and is not a reflection on my current or previous employers working practices  

So can you describe what I am trying to say about this painting ? Take a moment and use the pause button along the way and jot down your thoughts and answers during the video and have an open positive discussion.

So screwed is a depiction of call centre workers in an anonymous call centre under Attendance management policy, sickness disciplinary.   

The worker is depicted as having to work through there illness in order that the company does not take disciplinary action against them. 

 The worker is depicted as a gravestone for illness and chained to the desk in a bed whilst the company depicted as a greedy devil tightens the screw and kicking the employee whilst they are down thus highlighting there control over them.  The greedy devil is sitting on the scales tipping them in the company’s favour, whilst dishing out more toxic adherence policies in the form of the poison bottle and removing privileges depicted by the zero pounds.   

The poor lowly sick worker knows he has lost his bonus and facing further action if he takes any more time off work for being ill.   If he takes any more time off for being ill he will face further disciplinary action that will lead to his dismissal from the company for being over the companies acceptable attendance guidelines.   

The background of gravestone heads depicts countless more employees under the same cosh.   

He is a number of many and like the Borg of Star Trek will be assimilated into the hive, resistance is futile.  

This was my way of bringing laughter to a stressful situation at the time.  

So If you have been affected in this way what can we do to help you overcome this negative way of thinking?  

So The screwed painting was produced to understand a worker who is in a negative frame of mind when he is genuinely ill and lost his bonus and possibly facing disciplinary action.  It is a natural reaction on peoples thoughts when you lose your bonus and facing disciplinary action for illness and the feeling of being an unjust method to the employee.  

however this is a negative way of looking at this.  People become ill through many reasons and most companies have in place a fair system for sickness.   The company do follow legal guidelines and look to support employees when they are facing genuine illnesses and disabilities.  it is sometimes hard on an employee when they are genuinely ill and have to come into work in fear that they may lose there job if they have too much time off sick and they feel they are not getting the support from the company.   This can also lead to further anxiety and illness for the employee.   

Turn those negatives to positives 

So What can we do differently to turn a negative to a positive ?  

 So my thoughts are, Try and seek help through your manager, colleagues, doctors and maybe legal advise. Try not to look at the situation negatively although it may be a hard thing to do. try and focus on what positive ways you can overcome the situation and work through the situation with your employer and maybe get help with legal advise and if you are in a union they can help you as well  

So What positive things can we do to stop us feeling negative ? 

So my thought is to Seek help, try to relax, take deep breaths, have a break, ask for support, try to focus on what positive things can be done. Help is also out there such as. • Self help stress apps for the mobile  • CBT therapy which is cognitive behaviour therapy usually prescribed through your doctor • theres Community mental health Teams and Talking therapies  • The Company can also help If you need further support   Theres also the charity MIND and stress management society 

Now Stress can be a good thing, believe it or not.  The fight or flight response is a natural process for dealing with a threat or stressful event, it helps you react to a dangerous situation such as avoiding a collision in a vehicle or perceived threat that can help you fight or run away. It’s a natural process.   

however too much stress can turn into a negative and lead to illness. How much stress is too much depends on each person individually, some can deal with a lot of stress others can deal with a little stress.  You need to strike a balance in work and home life to deal with the stress.  

So Remember always look on the bright side of life, BEE positive, seek help when you need it and try to have some fun along the way, because laughter turns a negative to a positive  So have a discussion between yourselves  And look to see what you can do to overcome stress in a call centre    

Thanks for watching my video  

Limited Edition Signed prints available on this artwork, 

Limited to 250 prints Signed by the Artist and comes with certificate of authenticity. 

Fine Art Giclee Print on Fine at Paper 

Maximum A3 size print 11.69 x 16.53 inches price =£35incl postage & packaging in the UK

Maximum A2 size print 16.53 x 23.39 inches, price =£50 incl postage & Packaging in the UK

Postage to EU extra £20 for postage and packaging

 please use the print payment tab to place your order