Assessment of Stress

As with other hazards, the risk of stress causing harm should be assessed. 

Personal Risk Assessment

This need not be a formal process but a qualitative assessment which you carry out by observing your staff’s behaviour and from personal discussions with them.  These assessments are confidential and the details of individuals must not be discussed with other members of staff. 

You should be aware of the signs and symptoms of stress, in both yourself and your staff.

Discuss, in confidence, with your staff any symptoms of stress that they may be experiencing, the causes and possible remedial actions.  You may require assistance from other support agencies (eg the Occupational Health Service).

You should discuss and assess work pressures and stress with your staff during their Performance Development Review (PDR)

Generic Risk Assessment

You should encourage your staff to complete the University’s biennial confidential staff opinion survey, in which they can express their views on their work and their wellbeing, including work related stress.  The collated results of the survey give a generic assessment of levels of stress in the various functional units of the University and, overall of the University itself.  Benchmark comparisons can also be made with other universities of similar type.