Health & Safety Law

Health and Safety Law, places a duty on all employers to protect the welfare of all their employees whilst at work. This duty includes the impact of Stress at work. Because pressure is almost unavoidable in everyday life as a nation we are developing over sensitive 'flight or fight' responses.

All too often we find ourselves in situations where our bodies are telling us to escape from things we can't avoid. This can be overwhelming and we may fail to cope. It may also seem like there is no respite from the revolving doors of pressure which results in STRESS.

This is particularly true in our working lives. Employers have a duty under UK Health and Safety Law to protect the health, safety and welfare of all their employees whilst at work and are specifically required to carry out periodic risk assessments for ill health due to work related stress.

The Health & Safety Executive Management Standards were introduced in 2004 to help employers assess and manage stress in the workplace and comply with the Law. HSE studies show addressing stress at work and creating a healthier and better workplace will pay many dividends in many areas including:

• recruiting and retaining the best people
• minimising sickness and absence
• reducing staff turnover and improving performance of your organisation.

To help employers manage stress in the workplace the Health & Safety Executive have developed management standards for six key risk factors:

• Demands, working patterns and the work environment
• Control over the work you perform
• Support from your colleagues and managers
• Relationships and conflict in the workplace
• Role and understanding your place in the organisation