Work-Related Stress

Why do we need to tackle stress?

HSE commissioned research has indicated that:
about half a million people in the UK experience work-related stress at a level they believe is making them ill; up to 5 million people in the UK feel "very" or "extremely" stressed by their work; and a total of 12.8 million working days were lost to stress, depression and anxiety in 2004/5.

HSE's key messages on stress are: HSE is working with businesses to enable them to manage work related stress more effectively work-related stress is a serious problem. Tackling it effectively can result in significant benefits for organizations there are practical things organizations can do to prevent and control work related stress stress is a management issue which you as a manager can help resolve.

Resources available on this site include:
HSE's Management Standards for Stress, and how to use them The Live Issues page, which features latest news on stress at work Details of HSE's published guidance on tackling work-related stress HSE's online Stress Solutions Discussion Group - a forum for organisations to share good practice in stress prevention A selection of case studies and an example of a stress policy Details of HSE's research on stress at work Advice for individuals and managers of individuals suffering from stress-related ill health Related issues HSE's work on stress also links with several other areas of concern, including:

Musculoskeletal disorders;
Bullying;
Workplace violence;
Smoking, and drugs and alcohol in the workplace.

Health & Safety Executive
15/11/2005