What are the causes of work related stress and what can be done to alleviate it?

UK health & safety law recognises stress as a health and safety hazard, ie something that, if not controlled, can give rise to harm. The law requires employers, such as the University, to takes steps to reduce the risk of all hazards, including ‘stress’, causing harm. These steps are called control measures. Examples of control measures would be reducing work load, improving work flexibility, enhancing communication or dealing with a case of harassment.

UK Health and Safety law is enforced by the Health & Safety Executive (HSE). The HSE has commissioned a considerable amount of research into occupational stress and has identified six primary areas of risk known to give rise to stress. The HSE have assigned a target ‘management standard’ to each of these areas, describing an ‘ideal situation’ where the level of stress of staff is minimised

Demands