UNISON says work-stress can be caused or made worse by any of the following:
The Health and Safety Executive (HSE) says that problems at work, such as excessive workload, long hours and bullying are all sources of stress. The HSE calls them ‘stressors’. Employers should tackle stressors by carrying out a risk assessment, in the same way that they must deal with any other hazards at work.
In its initial advice to employers, Tackling work-related stress (1999) the HSE identified 6 main stressors at work:
Demands: Can you cope with the demands of your job? This includes workload, the pace of work or your exposure to physical hazards. Is there any way you can discuss your concerns with your employer?
Control: How much, or how little, say do you have over the job you do and how it is organised? Is there any way you can raise concerns with your employer?
Support: Do you receive adequate information and support from your fellow workers and supervisors? Does your organisation cater for individual differences in approach, style and so on? Is training provided in the core tasks you carry out?
Role: Do you have a clearly defined role and position? Does your employer ensure that you don’t have seriously conflicting targets?
Relationships: Are you subjected to unacceptable behaviours, such as bullying and harassment at work? Does your employer have agreed procedures to deal with bullying?
Change: How are major changes at work managed and communicated? Are you engaged in these changes?
These 6 stressors form the basis of the HSE’s Management standards for work-related stress, which lay out a clear approach for employers to follow. hse.gov.uk/stress/standards
