Stress in the workplace

A major concern for both employers and employees today is stress in the workplace. Unfortunately, stress has become increasingly prominent in the news, and has become more common in workplace litigation cases with claims on the increase.

The Management of Health and Safety at Work Regulations 1999 states that companies and organisations have a duty of care to assess the risk of stress related health arising from work activities.

There is a difference between pressure and stress, the Health and Safety Executive definition of stress is ‘the adverse reaction a person has to excessive pressure or other types of demand placed upon them’

The HSE supports anyone who is responsible for tackling work-related stress in an organisation. That might be the person who has responsibility for human resources, a health and safety officer, or line managers. The HSE believes good management practices can help reduce work-related stress.

An organisation that implements an EAP is seen by the courts as a fulfillment of duty of care responsibilities. For more in depth information on stress levels click here

Health & Safety Executive – What is stress?

Personnel Today – How an EAP supports an employers duty of care

p62314434f