What are the causes of stress?
The Health and Safety Executive (HSE) has identified six primary areas of risk known to give rise to stress. A target management standard is assigned to each of these areas, describing an ‘ideal situation’ where the level of stress of staff is minimised.
Read more about occupational stress on the HSE website.
Most common causes of work-related stress
| Demands | Control | Support |
|---|---|---|
| Find out more about how demands affect stress | Find out more about how control affects stress | Find out more about how support affects stress |
| Relationships | Role | Change |
| Find out more about how relationships affect stress | Find out more about how roles affect stress | Find out more about how change affects stress |
UK health and safety law
UK health and 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 workload, improving work flexibility, enhancing communication or dealing with a case of harassment.
UK Health and safety law is enforced by the Health and Safety Executive (HSE). The HSE has commissioned a considerable amount of research into occupational stress.
