April marks Stress Awareness Month, a timely reminder for employers across the UK to prioritise mental wellbeing in the workplace. While stress affects everyone at some point, work-related stress is a growing concern, with serious implications for both employees and businesses. This month is not only about raising awareness but taking real, measurable action.
One of the most important initiatives helping businesses do just that is the Health and Safety Executive's (HSE) Working Minds campaign, which urges employers to recognise and act on the causes of stress at work.
Why Work-Related Stress Matters
According to HSE statistics, work-related stress, depression, or anxiety accounted for over half of all work-related ill health in recent years. This isn't just a human issue, it’s a business issue. Stress contributes to absenteeism, reduced productivity, high staff turnover, and low morale.
Your Legal Duty as an Employer
It's not just good practice to address work-related stress...it’s the law!
Under the Health and Safety at Work etc. Act 1974 and the Management of Health and Safety at Work Regulations 1999, employers have a legal obligation to assess and manage risks to their employees’ health, including stress. Failure to do so can lead to enforcement action by HSE, reputational damage, and, most importantly, harm to your workforce.
The Working Minds Campaign: Making It Manageable
HSE’s Working Minds campaign is designed to help employers understand and meet their legal duties. The campaign focuses on five key steps, making it easier for businesses of all sizes to get started:
- Reach Out: Have regular conversations with your employees about how they’re feeling.
- Recognise: Spot the signs of stress early.
- Respond: Take supportive action and make reasonable adjustments.
- Reflect: Learn from what’s working and what’s not.
- Make it Routine: Embed stress management into your everyday culture.
Whether you're a manager in a large corporation or a small business owner, these steps provide a straightforward framework to protect your team and meet your responsibilities.
Practical Steps to Start Today
- Carry Out a Stress Risk Assessment: Identify potential causes of stress in your workplace.
- Promote Open Communication: Encourage staff to speak up about workload, work-life balance, and mental health.
- Train Your Managers: Ensure they know how to identify stress and support employees effectively.
- Use Available Resources: The HSE provides free tools, templates, and guidance on managing stress at work. Visit the Working Minds campaign site here.
Let’s Make Mental Health a Priority
This Stress Awareness Month, let’s go beyond raising awareness and start creating healthier, more supportive workplaces. When we take care of our people, we take care of our business. By recognising and reducing work-related stress, employers not only meet their legal obligations, they also build stronger, more resilient teams.
If you're not sure where to begin, start small. Start with a conversation. It could make all the difference.