{"id":2145,"date":"2025-11-03T08:43:33","date_gmt":"2025-11-03T08:43:33","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.safetyphoto.co.uk\/safety_news\/?p=2145"},"modified":"2025-11-03T08:43:33","modified_gmt":"2025-11-03T08:43:33","slug":"stress-awareness-week-2025-time-to-act-on-work-related-stress","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.safetyphoto.co.uk\/safety_news\/?p=2145","title":{"rendered":"Stress Awareness Week 2025: Time to act on work-related stress"},"content":{"rendered":"

Work-related stress remains one of the biggest causes of ill health in the workplace. As Stress Awareness Week 2025 begins, the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) is reminding employers that preventing work-related stress is a legal duty \u2013 not just a nice-to-have.\u00a0<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

In 2023\/24, HSE statistics show that 776,000 workers reported suffering from work-related stress, depression or anxiety. This accounted for nearly half of all self-reported work-related ill health and led to an estimated 16.4 million working days lost over the same period.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Failing to manage stress effectively can also result in reduced productivity and higher staff turnover.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Stress risk assessments \u2013 it\u2019s the law<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Some employers may not be aware that they must <\/span>assess and manage the risks of work-related stress<\/span><\/a> in the same way as other health and safety risks.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Under the Health and Safety at Work Act 1974 and the Management of Health and Safety at Work Regulations 1999, employers must assess risks and take reasonably practicable steps to prevent harm \u2014 including from stress.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

It\u2019s not just about responding when problems arise. It\u2019s about taking proactive steps to understand the pressures your employees face and acting on what you find.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Free tools and support from HSE<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

HSE\u2019s <\/span>Working Minds campaign<\/span><\/a> makes it easier for employers to take action. It\u2019s based on five simple steps \u2013 the 5 Rs:<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Reach out \u2013 start the conversation<\/span>
\nRecognise \u2013 spot the signs and causes of stress <\/span>
\nRespond \u2013 agree actions and make changes<\/span>\u00a0<\/span>
\nReflect \u2013 review what\u2019s working and what isn\u2019t<\/span>\u00a0<\/span>
\nMake it Routine \u2013 embed wellbeing into everyday practices<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

A key resource is HSE\u2019s <\/span>Talking Toolkit<\/span><\/a>, which helps employers hold structured conversations around six key stress factors: Demands, Control, Support, Relationships, Role and Change.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cPrevention is better than cure,\u201d says Kayleigh Roberts, HSE\u2019s Work-Related Stress Policy Lead. \u201cBy acting proactively, employers can better protect employee wellbeing, reduce sickness absence and retain skilled, experienced staff.\u201d<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

What employers can do this week<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Review your <\/span>stress risk assessment<\/span><\/a> \u2013 is it current and relevant to how your teams are working now?<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Use the <\/span>Talking Toolkit<\/span><\/a> \u2013 open up discussions around workload, pressures and support.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Encourage learning \u2013 signpost the free Working Minds <\/span>online learning modules<\/span><\/a> for managers.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Watch for early signs \u2013 like increased absence, reduced performance, or conflict \u2013 and act early.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Normalise these conversations \u2013 treat them as part of your routine health and safety management.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Taking simple, reasonable steps not only protects your employees \u2013 it helps you meet your legal obligations and build a healthier, more resilient workforce.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Share the message<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Help spread awareness during Stress Awareness Week:<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Share Working Minds <\/span>posters and graphics<\/span><\/a> with your teams<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Talk about stress at team meetings and one-to-ones<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Encourage others to try the <\/span>free online learning<\/span><\/a>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Use the <\/span>Stress Indicator Tool<\/span><\/a> to gather anonymous team feedback<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Our campaign partner <\/span>Mind<\/span><\/a> shared the following reflection for Stress Awareness Week:<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cLife can feel challenging for many of us, both in and outside of work. That\u2019s why it\u2019s so important that work doesn\u2019t add to the pressure. As a proud Working Minds partner, Mind is supporting employers and workers to prevent work-related stress and create mentally healthy workplaces.\u201d<\/span>\u00a0<\/span> \u2014 Jonathan Stuart, Workplace Partnerships Lead at Mind<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Join the conversation<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Follow and share the Working Minds campaign:<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

LinkedIn<\/span><\/a>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Facebook<\/span><\/a>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

X (formerly Twitter)<\/span><\/a>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Work-related stress remains one of the biggest causes of ill health in the workplace. As Stress Awareness Week 2025 begins, the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) is reminding employers that preventing work-related stress is a legal duty \u2013 not just a nice-to-have.\u00a0\u00a0 In 2023\/24, HSE statistics show that 776,000 workers reported suffering from work-related stress,…<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":0,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":[],"categories":[1],"tags":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.safetyphoto.co.uk\/safety_news\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2145"}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.safetyphoto.co.uk\/safety_news\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.safetyphoto.co.uk\/safety_news\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.safetyphoto.co.uk\/safety_news\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=2145"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.safetyphoto.co.uk\/safety_news\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2145\/revisions"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.safetyphoto.co.uk\/safety_news\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=2145"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.safetyphoto.co.uk\/safety_news\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=2145"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.safetyphoto.co.uk\/safety_news\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=2145"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}