Health and and Safety Executive Helping Great Britain to work well Work-related stress and the Management Standards approach
A new health and safety system strategy The new system is based on six key themes as a basis for agreeing a collective way forward These have received widespread industry support By acting together the new system will seek to widen ownership, improve productivity and the health and safety of the workforce
Strategic themes Acting together: Promoting broader ownership of health and safety in Great Britain Tackling ill health: Highlighting and tackling the costs of work related ill health Managing risk well: Simplifying risk management and helping business to grow
Strategic themes Supporting small employers: Giving SME s simple advice so they know what they have to do Keeping pace with change: Anticipating and tackling new health and safety challenges Sharing our success: Promoting the benefits of Great Britain s world-class health and safety system
What is Work-related Stress? Work-related stress: is an organisational issue and not an individual fault; occurs when demands at work are beyond the worker s capacity to cope with them. HSE defines work-related stress as: the adverse reaction people have to excessive pressure or other types of demand placed on them.
Stress and the law Employers have a legal responsibility under the Health and Safety at Work Act 1974 and Management of Health and Safety at Work Regulations 1999 to ensure the health, safety and welfare at work of their employees This includes minimising the risk of stressrelated illness or injury to employees.
Work-related stress HSE stats 2015/16 11.7 million days lost due to the condition (WRS, anxiety, depression) at a conservatively estimated cost of 5.2 billion to GB each year, with over 1billion costs to employers 488,000 self-reported cases, including 224,000 new cases (started in last 12 months) 37% of all work-related ill-health cases 45% of all working days lost due to ill health. The public sector has the highest incidence of reported WRS, and will be a key target for HSE s plans.
Work-related stress programme Review guidance and tools (inc. the MS indicator tool) Insight/research Update evidence base SME tool for managing stress Stakeholder engagement working in partnership Sector pilots (inc. Education, Health, Prisons) Communications strategy to raise awareness and secure engagement and practical action
Work-related Stress pilots Evidence based focus on Public Services namely: - Education - Health service - Prison service Partnership working will involve; engagement, intervention, development of practical, sector focused solutions underpinned by the Management Standards approach
Infographics Poster Specific statistical data relating to stress, anxiety and depression. Number of sufferers; The number of working days lost both per case and annually across industry; and The overall cost to GB plc Identifies the work factors and worse effected sectors
Management Standards Workbook Step by step guide to completing a risk assessment for work related stress, anxiety and depression Focusses on the Management Standards approach Includes advice, guidance and tips for practical application The workbook will be web based to allow for flexibility in updating and maintenance We will welcome ongoing user feedback
Management Standards risk assessment approach Demands Control Support Relationship Role Change Primary workplace stressors
Non-work related causes of stress Financial difficulties Relationship issues Caring for ill or elderly relatives, partner or child Bereavement [Not an exhaustive list]
Managing work-related stress key principles Monitor factors that might suggest there is a problem with stress-related illness in the organisation Ensure there is a health and safety policy that addresses the issue of stress in the workplace Ensure effective risk assessments have been carried out, monitored regularly and recommendations are implemented and resourced Plan for stress-related risks when embarking on organisational change
Effective management of stress Stress can be managed like any other occupational safety & health risk Using practical tools and guidance - HSE Management Standards to facilitate effective, proactive management and employee engagement http://www.hse.gov.uk/stress/
Roles in managing stress Board level commitment Undertake assessment of the level of risk to employees and develop plans to manage and control risks identified risk Promote the pro-active management of stress and lead by example in demonstrating a commitment to engaging employees in the process Consider stress when planning any change within the organisation Provide adequate resources and time for genuine consultation
Roles in managing stress Employees and their representatives: Play a vital role in identifying and helping with the management of stress Will be best placed to identify issues that create problems Will notice early signs of behavioural change and stress in colleagues Have the trust and confidence to raise issues with management/others Through engagement ensure issues are addressed and practical solutions are implemented
Communicate and inform Focus on a proactive, preventative approach in tackling work-related stress, mental ill health and wellbeing through engagement and awareness raising Involve all stakeholders in the planning and implementation of actions to prevent and reduce work-related stress Encourage employees to look after their own health and safety
Health, Wellbeing and Stress There are many wellbeing initiatives that are available to support individuals such as; resilience and mindfulness training, counselling, exercise classes, dietary advice etc. These are not preventative and will only help employers comply with their duties where they are used with an organisational preventative process
Survey questions Overall, to what extent would you say that workrelated stress is a health problem within your organisation? Does your organisation currently assess the level of risk to employees from work-related stress, as part of its health and safety assessment regime? Does your organisation currently use the "Management Standards" (MS) approach, in order to manage work-related stress in the workplace?
Survey questions What action(s), if any, does your organisation currently take to tackle workrelated stress? In general, to what extent, if at all, would you say these action(s) have been effective for your organisation?
How you can get involved You can contact us on issues relating to stress at: http://www.hse.gov.uk/stress/contacts.htm Stay abreast of developments by signing up for our stress e-bulletin at: http://www.hse.gov.uk/stress/ebulletin/index.htm Share ideas, raise questions or take part in discussions, surveys or user testing of tools and guidance via the HSE Stress Forum at: http://webcommunities.hse.gov.uk/connect.ti/group/stress _solutions/grouphome
Thank you Any questions?