Nature of The Stress

There are many variable factors in stress. Most employers are only concerned with “is this stress work-related?”. However there are other considerations to be taken into account:

w	50 % of all accidents are believed to be stress related. This means that if the stress factor was removed it would be unlikely that the accident would have happened.

w	40% of all absenteeism is estimated to be stress related.

w	The average loss of working time per stress incident is 29 Days.

w	Workplace bullying is on the increase. Bullies often act this way due to capability stress issues.

w	The incidents of aggression and anger in the workplace is increasing. This is believed to be 90% stress related.

There are more indicators but these adequately demonstrate that there are considerable advantages to the effective management of workplace stress.

You cannot simply be reactive, you must also be proactive - and be able to prove it!

It is tempting to proceed into the ‘stress response’ and give details of the damage excess stress causes to the body and mind, however, this is well documented elsewhere. Stress as a workplace hazard has many sources. It is only by examining stress cases and undertaking properly managed stress risk assessments that proves an employer is able to effectively manage and minimise work-related stress.

A failure to do so could result in high financial penalties in the form of claims for damages, and HSE enforcement order and possible litigation.