Stress at work


Every two minutes, a worker somewhere in the UK is made ill through stress at work which leads to 11.3 million lost working days, according to the TUC. 


Its new guidance on managing stress at work was published as part of its contribution to European Health and Safety Week in October, which aimed to highlight the extent and impact of workplace stress.


Key points of the guidance are:


• stress is not a weakness; it can affect anyone at any time;


• don’t suffer in silence: talk to someone like a union rep, a friend, GP or a support service; and


• stress-related illnesses caused by work are preventable.


Employers have a legal responsibility to reduce or remove anything at work that could make anyone ill, including workplace stress.


www.tuc.org.uk/workplace-issues/someone-experiences-work-related-stress-every-two-minutes-says-tuc