HSE Press Release E127:02 - 3 July 2002
A major new awareness initiative on preventing work-related stress has been launched by the Health and Safety Executive (HSE).
The initiative takes the form of a full media advertising campaign, supporting material, leaflets, Helpline support and guidelines on how to prevent work-related stress will raise awareness among managers in UK companies of all sizes.
Initially aimed at public sector workers where levels of reported incidence of stress are highest, a series of advertisements will advise managers of schools, hospitals, police and emergency services on steps to take in preventing the condition.
The initiative will also help managers pave the way for next year's introduction of the first management standards on stress in the workplace. These standards will provide a clear yardstick against which to measure an employer's management performance in preventing stress.
Part of the campaign will be to encourage organisations to send for HSE's detailed guide: 'Tackling work-related stress: a manager's guide to improving and maintaining employee health and well-being.' For firms with fewer than 50 employees, there is a free booklet 'Work-related stress'.
Elizabeth Gyngell, Head of HSE's Health Directorate, said:
"Stress management should become part of corporate culture as a preventative measure. Our aim is to prevent people being affected by work-related stress. There are early warning signs of stress that managers can look for and steps that can be taken to reduce its effects."
Work-related stress is also the focus for this year's European Week for Safety and Health, beginning on 14 October 2002. Organisations throughout the UK are being urged to run stress prevention campaigns that HSE then rewards with certificates and, in some cases, awards.
Information on where to get help to manage work-related stress and how to take steps to prevent it is available on a free Stress Action Pack that is sent to everyone who responds to the advertisements.
1. Stress is the second biggest cause of work-related illness in the UK with one in five workers reporting they have been affected by it.
2. Work-related stress is one of eight priority programmes the Health and Safety Commission has chosen to meet the targets of in its occupational health strategy 'Securing Health Together'.
3. HSE has published 'Tackling work-related stress: A managers' guide to improving and maintaining employee health and well-being', ISBN 0 7176 2050 6, priced at £7.95, aimed at larger organisations. For firms with fewer than 50 employees, there is a free booklet 'Work-related stress - a short guide'. Both are available online at: http://books.hse.gov.uk
All enquiries from journalists should be directed to the HSE Press Office
