TUC welcome for HSE measures to tackle stress

Welcoming the new measures introduced today (Wednesday) by the Health and Safety Executive to help employers tackle the increasing incidence of stress in UK workplaces, TUC General Secretary Brendan Barber said:

At a time when many employees’ stress levels are rising, most employers are doing very little to combat the UK’s growing stress epidemic. With TUC figures showing that three in five workers now complain of stress at work, the new HSE management standards should encourage employers to take their staff welfare responsibilities more seriously.

Stress costs us dear with the economy losing out to the tune of 7 billion and 6.5 million lost working days. Individuals pay the price in poor health, with sleepless nights, depression and heart problems just some of the symptoms of workplace stress.

Sensible employers understand that we cannot afford to allow stress-related illness to spiral out of control and most will welcome the chance to improve the well-being of their employees and boost productivity. For those that refuse to take any measures to reduce stress levels, the HSE must be prepared to take enforcement action to prevent them continuing to harm their workforce.