At over 13 million days a year, work-related stress is costing society about £3.7 billion a year, according to the Health and Safety Executive (HSE). In 2001/2002, over half a million individuals in Britain experienced stress at levels that made them ill.
The consultation highlights a set of Management Standards which help employers to gauge stress levels, identify causes and work with employees to resolve any issues.
The Standards are not new regulations; they are a non-legislative yardstick to help organisations meet their existing duty of care and their duty to assess the risks of work-related stress. The Standards highlight the components of good organisation, job design and management that keep stress levels in check and enhance productivity.
Chair of the Health and Safety Commission Bill Callaghan said:
"We're not about eliminating all stress or pressure in the workplace. Rather we want to help employers recognise and manage the risks sensibly. We believe the Management Standards can help employers tackle work-related stress at source and reduce sickness absence caused by work-related stress. The Standards have been well-received so far but we need to gather more views."
Employers already have a duty to ensure, as far as is reasonably practicable, the health, safety and welfare of their employees at work, under the Health and Safety at Work etc. Act of 1974. They also have a duty to assess for health and safety risk, under the Management of Health and Safety at Work Regulations of 1999. These duties cover work-related stress.