The HSE defines stress as "the adverse reaction people have to excessive pressure or other types of demand placed on them". Pressure is a normal part of all types of work and helps keep us motivated . However, excessive pressure can lead to stress which has many negative effects and reduces performance. Work-related stress is costly to employers and can make people ill.

Why do we need to tackle stress?

Research commissioned by the HSE 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 2003/4.

A new study from the mental healthy charity Mind has revealed that workplace stress costs 10% of the UK’s Gross National Product – yet fewer than a tenth of employers have an official policy in place to tackle the issue

Legal Obligations

Under Health and Safety Law, where stress caused or made worse by work could lead to ill-health, it is a legal requirement to carry out a risk assessment. This involves:

• looking for pressures at work that could result in high or long-term levels of stress
• deciding who might be harmed by these
• deciding whether you are doing enough to prevent that harm

You then need to take reasonable steps to deal with the pressures and to carry out regular ongoing assessments to ensure you are managing any potential stress issues