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​What is Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD)?The official definition of Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) from the NHS is: Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) is an anxiety disorder caused by very stressful, frightening or distressing events.The general feeling is that PTSD just affects the Military and not the civilian population. This is understandable as the disorder was highlighted following on from the Vietnam War and more recently, in Iraq and Afghanistan where HM Forces were present. To try an explain what PTSD means, a Veteran once wrote: Surrounded by loved ones, yet I am alone, Feeling so trapped in my solitary zone. Thoughts of chaos as my anger overtakes, Feelings of happiness my past dominates.Laughter and smiles, they never seem to last, I am haunted and hunted, by memories from my past. Roaming in my head with nowhere to go, Visions of the past, in my head, a film show. In my head I scream, but no one can hear, Past demons of death are always so near. Voices from my past, like a long-playing song, Breaking the man, I was, he was strong.How long will it take, until I feel right? It's exhausting me, this battle every night. Each new day I try, to make a new stand, But when I sleep, they come back on command. I can't give up, my family need me strong, Smiling and happy like nothing is wrong. In this living state I find I'm in, Dealing with my past, and memories from within.​However, PTSD has been around since the Human Race has experienced trauma. Previous generations knew PTSD as Shell Shock, Soldiers Heart, Combat Fatigue and War Neurosis. As the names suggest, they all have links to the Military. Despite the long history of PTSD, it was only officially recognised in 1980 by the American Psychiatric Association. As you can see from the NHS definition above, it does not differentiate from Military and Civilian. ​What Causes PTSD?Someone with PTSD often relives the traumatic event through nightmares and flashbacks, and may experience feelings of isolation, irritability and guilt. Types of events that can lead to PTSD include, but not limited to: Serious accidents. Physical or sexual assault. Abuse, including childhood or domestic abuse. Exposure to traumatic events at work, including remote exposure. Serious health problems, such as being admitted to intensive care. Childbirth experiences, such as losing a baby. War and conflict. Torture. The above are not just applicable to those directly involved, but can also affect those who may witness a very stressful, frightening or distressing event. We have seen recently both in the Rail and Construction industries that some incidents have had a serious effect on some of our colleagues and families. In 2016, Network Rail introduced its own standard for Trauma Incident Management which includes how to manage the risk of trauma related mental ill health in the workplace. ​Symptoms of PTSDSymptoms can vary in intensity over time. You may have more symptoms when you’re stressed in general or when you run into reminders of what you went through. For example, you may hear a car backfire and relive combat experiences or you may see a report on the news about a sexual assault and feel overcome by memories of your own assault. People react to traumatic experiences in a variety of ways. Some may experience symptoms of trauma which dissipate after a number of weeks. However, if symptoms of trauma continue for longer then PTSD may be present. Symptoms vary from person to person, but some examples are: Flashbacks (Acting or feeling like the event is happening again). The detail of the flashback can vary depending on the individual’s experiences. Flashbacks can last a second, minutes, hours or even longer. General things that happen during a PTSD flashback include: Seeing full or partial images of the traumatic event. Noticing any sense that is related to the trauma (such as hearing, smelling or tasting something). Sensing that the person(s) involved in the traumatic event are physically present. Feeling physical symptoms that you experienced during the trauma, such as pain or pressure. Experiencing the emotions that happened during the trauma (this could be almost anything such as fear or even rage). Nightmares (either of the event or of other frightening things). Feelings of intense distress when reminded of the trauma. Work-related or relationship problems. Inability to remember important aspect of the trauma. Loss of interest in activities and life in general. Sense of a limited future. Feeling numb and empty. Avoidance of people and places. Feeling isolated. Frequent periods of withdrawal into oneself. Increased anxiety and emotional arousal. Hypervigilance (On constant ‘red alert’). Intense physical reactions to reminders of the event (e.g. Pounding heart, nausea, muscle tension, sweating). Irritability or outbursts of anger and aggressive behaviour. Irrational and intense fear. Reduced tolerance to noise (hyperacusis). Difficulty concentrating. Being easily moved to tears. Panic attacks/anxiety/depression/mood swings. Feeling jumpy and easily startled. Difficulty falling or staying asleep. Thoughts of suicide. Tense muscles. ​Tips for dealing with PTSDSpeak to relatives or friends who will support you and help you to discuss any experiences and thoughts, or emotions that you are struggling to deal with. Try to overcome the feeling of helplessness by doing something positive like exercise, volunteering and so on. Avoid alcohol and drugs at all costs as these will not solve the problem in the long term. Spend time outdoors in a relaxing environment with positive people who you trust. Join a support group where you can meet other people who are experiencing the same kind of emotions and difficulties as yourself. Try to find out what triggers you to feel the symptoms of PTSD and pull together a plan to avoid these triggers. Understand that relatives and friends will find it difficult to see you struggling, so allow them to understand what you are going through. Seek professional treatment, to help you to overcome your PTSD and take steps towards recovery and wellbeing. You can also speak to your Mental Health First Aider in your Company. ​Complex PTSDComplex PTSD may be diagnosed in adults or children who have repeatedly experienced traumatic events, such as violence, neglect or abuse. As a result, it could be some time before the symptoms of complex PTSD are recognised. They are similar to PTSD but could also include suicidal thoughts, difficulty in trusting other people and destructive or risky behaviour. Complex PTSD is thought to be more severe if: The traumatic events happened early in life. The trauma was caused by a parent or carer. The person experienced the trauma for a long time. The person was alone during the trauma. There's still contact with the person responsible for the trauma. Your company should employ a Mental Health First Aider who can act as the first point of contact. All discussions will be totally confidential and they should be able to assist should you need help. ​For further information on PTSD, access the following links:Walking With The Wounded (WWTW) - https://walkingwiththewounded.org.uk/ or call 01263 863 900. Combat Stress - https://combatstress.org.uk/ or call 0800 1381619. Mind - https://www.mind.org.uk/information-support/a-z-mental-health/ or call 0300 123 3393. Able Futures - https://www.able-futures.co.uk/ or call 0800 321 3137. Samaritans - https://www.samaritans.org/ or call 116 123. PTSD UK - https://www.ptsduk.org

4 reasons you should move from a traditional sales role to a role in recruitment If you are a successful salesperson with a strong track record, it is highly likely you have been contacted about embarking on a recruitment career. There is a very simple reason for this; salespeople generally make the best recruitment consultants. There are a lot of similarities between sales and recruitment and with the growth in the recruitment market in recent years, the sector is becoming the go-to option for salespeople keen to utilise their skills but create a viable, long term and lucrative career. However, there are still people unsure if a career in recruitment is the right sideways step for them. Here are 4 points which may make you consider that career change today: ​Recruitment is sales too; If you thrive in a fast paced, targeted sales environment, then a career in recruitment will offer you this. Recruitment Consultants are given sales targets and although you are technically selling a service opposed to a product, the skills you have learnt in a typical sales role will enable you to get to grips with recruitment sales a lot faster. Ganymede and ATA Recruitment have an extremely successful training programme, where you will receive one on one training to help you adapt your sales technique to our sector. We also offer a threshold free period while you settle in your role, meaning you will start to yield financial results quickly. ​You have a lot of autonomy; While we offer a huge amount of support initially, you are also given the autonomy to essentially build your own business within our business. We want people who have the confidence to go out and win their own clients, have the gravitas to engage with and maintain their own candidate base and have the know-how to manage the sales process from end to end. We train our rookies to do this, but for those that have previous experience in a sales setting, you can quickly get to the point in which you are managing your own work load and being rewarded for doing this. ​Progression is based purely on results; Progression in sales and recruitment is meritocratic – if you perform well, you will progress. However, in a typical sales setting, this progression can stagnate quickly – a sales team will have a Sales Manager or Director looking after a team and while opportunities for small steps up may present themselves, you will potentially find your self stuck in a mid-level position for a while, until someone else departs and you can fill their post. I mentioned in the previous point that you can essentially create your own business within our business, meaning if you are consistently performing, the opportunity for your growth is endless. Recruitment Consultancies often create new positions for top performers – this is something that we do regularly here at Ganymede and ATA Recruitment – and, there is also the opportunity to bring in junior Consultants to help manage your work load and grow ‘your’ business. ​Recruitment is an extremely lucrative sector; There is no doubt that sales can be lucrative too, but most people I speak to who are looking to move into recruitment from sales have capped or team commission schemes, essentially limiting what they can earn individually. Within most recruitment organisations, your commission is completely uncapped and generally those with a sales background start earning additional commission quickly. At Ganymede and ATA Recruitment, our Consultants earn at least a third of what they bill.​​Ganymede and ATA Recruitment is in an exciting period of growth and we are currently looking for experienced sales people to come and join our teams. Alongside the above, we offer our Consultants a flexible, agile working policy. We have numerous incentives and prizes outside of our generous basic salary and commission scheme and encourage healthy competition between our staff. Due to expansion, we are looking for the next Leaders of our business, with fast-tracked routes to management available for high performers that also demonstrate they can behave in the correct way and uphold our high company standards. Find out more about a career with Ganymede and ATA today. Send your CV to rachael.bailey-frost@ganymedesolutions.co.uk or contact me on LinkedIn today. ​​​CONTACT RACHAEL ​

Sleep​Closely linked to fatigue, and perhaps its most significant cause, is the amount and quality of sleep an individual receives. The consensus among scientists who study human performance and safety is that sleep is a powerful and vital biological need, which is as important to health as eating, drinking and breathing. Sleep aids recovery from mental as well as physical exertion and is vital for maintaining good mental and physical health, as it allows bodies to repair themselves and brains to consolidate memories and process information. Quality of Sleep​There are two types of sleep that a person needs: rapid eye movement (REM) and non-REM sleep. REM sleep is where an individual dreams and non-REM is where they do not. We experience both types of sleep several times during the night, at different periods, with periods of non-REM sleep normally becoming progressively deeper. If a person does not get enough of both types of sleep, it can affect mood, energy and concentration levels, relationships, and their ability to stay awake and function at work during the day.​Sleep quality is also affected by the body’s circadian rhythms, which regulates different functions of the body to an average 24.2-hour cycle. The circadian rhythm has peaks and troughs, with the ‘low point’ typically occurring in the early hours of the morning. Sleep during this time has greater restorative value, and if consistently awoken during this time, the individual is likely to experience a depressed mood and is unlikely to perform at an optimum level.​Causes of Fatigue and Sleep Loss​The causes of sleep loss/disruption are many and varied, and include:Work routinesMedical/generic conditionsNaturally changing sleep patterns as we ageSleeping in surroundings that are not conducive to sleep: too warm or too cold, an uncomfortable bed, too much light, too noisy, etc. anxiety, stress, depression, life changes etcFood (particularly caffeine) e.g., too much coffee, fizzy drinks, chocolate, etcAlcohol, nicotine and other drugsNapping and sleeping during the dayMedications and herbal remediesTravelExercise e.g. too little or too much​Work related factors may include:Long work hoursLong hours of physical or mental activityInsufficient break time between shiftsChanges to jobs or shift rotationsInadequate restExcessive stressHaving multiple jobsAvailability of resourcesWork tasks which are long, repetitive, paced, difficult, boring and monotonousThe work environment (e.g. lighting, ventilation, temperature, etc.)Combination of these factors There are also various sleep conditions that may cause fatigue, including:​Insomnia: where a person cannot fall asleep, or cannot stay asleep for a full night. Insomnia can be both short term (in response to a stressful event or change in environment) and long term. Sleep Apnoea: a breathing disorder in which there are brief interruptions (lasting a minimum of 10 seconds) in breathing during sleep, which is caused by a narrowing (or collapse) of the throat or upper airway during sleep. Restless Legs Syndrome: where sensations of creeping, crawling, pulling or tingling can cause an irresistible urge for a person to move their legs. Narcolepsy: a rare condition associated with sudden sleep ‘attacks’, where a person will have an uncontrollable urge to sleep many times in one day.​If you have any questions regarding the topics covered in our Fatigue series, please don't hesitate to get in touch with our HSEQ team on 0333 011 2048 who will offer you support and guidance.

​​​​The Spring edition of Safety First, Ganymede’s quarterly safety newsletter is now available to read.​In this edition we focus on:​Lessons Learned​Finger injuryDefective Pan PullerA.D.V.I.C.E: Understanding Diabetes​Spotlight on SafetyFatigue#SpeakUp - PPE Close Call Winner - James Brown​Driving in SpringSeasonal Safety TipsGanymede Driver App​EnvironmentalNesting birdsSpringtime barbeques PPE Recycling ​Social ResponsibilityGanymede's commitment to Equality, Diversity and InclusionA highlight on Mental Health and important resources ​Read the Spring 2021 Safety First Newsletter here​As always, we trust you will find the newsletter useful and engaging. If you have any questions or feedback after reading this edition of Safety First, please don't hesitate to get in touch using the form below. ​

​Starting a new job is a daunting prospect at the best of times. Factor in the all the changes and adaptations to working life that have been implemented over the past 12 months and it is unsurprising that we are feeling cautions about making a move. ​Without the support, encouragement and advice of our colleagues, work can become stressful, and it is more important now than ever that businesses are ensuring their employees are not isolated and able to maintain great relationships. When starting a new position, you must build new relationships and given the fact most of us are now working from home, businesses need to ensure they are taking this into consideration when it comes to their induction process.​Ganymede have continued recruiting throughout the pandemic. Although, we have been mindful of the fact that are new starters are joining us at strange and unprecedented time. I’m pleased to say we have successfully inducted a number of new employees across all areas of our business and below are just some of the steps that we have taken to make their start as easy as possible.​Virtual Meetings ​Every new member of staff is introduced to their team virtually. Team meetings are an open forum in which our challenges are discussed and successes celebrated! Despite the fact that they have not been able to spend time with their new colleagues face to face, our new starters quickly become valued members of our team. Digital Marketing Executive Ashleigh Lancaster, who joined us in December 2020 said the following about her relationships within the business:​“We communicate daily over MS Teams and work as collaboratively as we would do were we in the office (we even still had the obligatory Christmas Quiz!) Whilst I can’t wait to get in the office to spend more time with my new colleagues, I couldn’t be happier with my new role and I feel as though I have already built strong relationships within the team.” ​Training and Development ​Just because we’re not in the office, doesn’t mean our training isn’t as effective! We have moved the majority of our training online. Some is conducted through our training portal and some done ‘virtually’. Different members of our leadership and recruitment team are always on hand to welcome and support you through our structured 12-week programme. As restrictions continue to ease, we have also begun weekly socially distanced training in the office in small groups to maintain face to face contact where possible. Recruitment Specialist, Asad Hussain, who joined us in February 2021 said the following about his induction with us:​“The team have been very impressive thus far and they have not compromised on any of my induction or training whilst I have been in the role. They have put great processes in place to ensure I have the best possible start. So far, things are going very well for me in the business and they can only get better. I have the flexibility of working from the comfort of my own home when I need to and I have been provided with all the equipment I need to do so. I also have the benefits of 1 to 1 training and a very easy going and understanding manager who is providing me with all the training, tips and tricks I need to be successful.”​Ganymede Connect​Not only have we taken steps to ensure our new employees have the best possible start with us from a social perspective, it’s also important that we equip all of our team with the tools they need to be successful. Alongside providing all of our staff with the IT Equipment required to move their workspaces to their homes, we also invested in numerous pieces of software to help our clients and candidates with their recruitment processes. Connect is the latest Video Software, designed specifically for the screening and interview process. By making the process smooth and more user friendly for candidate, client and internal employee, Connect solves many common problems in the virtual recruitment process. This ensures our staff are able to make the best use of their time whilst working remotely. ​Wellbeing Support ​As highlighted by the Mental Health Foundation, it is said that “74% of UK adults have felt so stressed at some point over the last year they felt overwhelmed or unable to cope”. It is vital to us that our employees still receive the wellbeing support they would in an office environment. As such, fully trained Mental health first aiders are on hand should any of our new starters or existing colleagues require a confidential discussion regarding their wellbeing. ​Likewise, employees have access to the Employee Assistance Programme – a support network that can be accessed anytime, anywhere. Designated, trained consultants are available to provide advice and support on a variety of issues, whether they be at home, at work or health related. ​Similarly, we may not be able to take part in our usual social activities due to current restrictions, but that doesn’t mean we aren’t staying in touch and maintaining our relationships outside of working hours. By taking part in team activities such as 310,000 steps for Samaritans and the Rainbows #LeicesterToLeHavre challenge, employees can still enjoy friendships across the business.​Join the Ganymede team today​Due to growth, we have a number of Recruitment Consultant jobs across all of our UK offices – Derby, Doncaster, Leeds, London and Portsmouth. We are keen to speak to ambitious individuals. Whether you are a recruitment novice or an experienced recruitment professional, we could have the exciting new role you have been waiting for. For a confidential conversation about what we offer, get in touch today! Either call me directly on 07920 595 229 or send your CV to rachael.bailey-frost@ganymedesolutions.co.uk.

April marks the start of Stress Awareness Month 2021, and the theme this year is ‘Regaining Connectivity, Certainty and Control’. ​Stress Awareness Month raises awareness of stress and the way in which it is damaging the health of people across the globe. High levels of stress can be extremely detrimental to our mental health, often leading to anxiety and depression. Likewise, many people do not realise the impact stress can have on our physical health too. Heart disease, insomnia and digestive problems are just a few of the physical conditions that can be linked to high stress levels. As such, it's critical that we take the time during this national awareness month to look at how we can manage our stress levels.​12 months on from the first national lockdown due to the coronavirus pandemic, it is said that 74% of UK adults have felt so stressed at some point over the last year they felt overwhelmed or unable to cope (Mental Health Foundation). ​This could be due to a number of factors: ​Worries around health and contracting COVID-19 Concerns over job stability Lack of satisfaction in personal life due to social restrictions Increased workload due to organisational changes ​​Below are 3 tips on how you can manage your work-related stress during Stress Awareness Month and beyond.How to manage work-related stress ​1. Communicate with your employer ​People working from home may be experiencing a lack of connectivity with their employers when it comes to workloads and occupational wellbeing. ​​Despite how quickly many employers have adapted to remote working, your line manager may not be as aware of how well you’re coping with work-related stress. Whereas before it was easy to check in across the office, now it may not be the case. ​​It’s important that you are open and honest regarding your workload and how you are coping so your manager can help reduce any work-related stress. Likewise, if you have a problem you are struggling to overcome, use the technology provided to you (MS Teams, email, over the phone to name a few examples) to speak to the appropriate person(s) and not suffer in silence. ​2. Keep work time and personal time separate​As we mentioned in our article ‘how to effectively work from home’, try not to extend your workday too far over what you planned, as this might lead to burning yourself out and starting to see your home environment as a stressful place. Keeping work time and personal time separate should make you less stressed when you aren’t working. ​3. Take part in the 30 Day Challenge ‘Regaining Connectivity, Certainty and Control’ ​To help combat the effects of stress, the Stress Management Society have introduced a 30 day challenge: Pick one action each for your Physical, Mental and Emotional Wellbeing to carry out every day. It is said that is takes 30 days to turn an action into a habit. So the objective is at the end of April, any actions you have started during the challenge that are aiding your stress levels, you will easily be able to incorporate into your daily routine. ​For more information on how to take part in the challenge, visit the Stress Management Society website here. ​