With hectic and demanding lifestyles, it is no wonder that stress, anxiety and depression are the most common reasons for taking time off work.
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The Health & Safety Executive defines stress as the adverse reaction people have to excessive pressures or other types of demand placed on them and the Labour Force Survey estimates that during 2015-16 11.7 million days were lost due to stress, depression or anxiety. An average of around 24 days were lost for each case – nearly five working weeks.
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Employers have a legal duty to protect employees from stress at work. They should carry out a risk assessment in the same way as they would for any other hazard in the workplace. Employers need to look at who might be harmed and how and what steps can be taken to control the risk.
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The stress risk assessment should look at al aspects of the work and factors such as job design, workload, deadlines, fluctuations in business or dealing with difficult customers.
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The Health & Safety Executive has a wealth of useful resources and advice for employers on tackling stress in the workplace which can be found here.
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Most employers at some point will have to support someone in the workplace who is affected by stress, anxiety or depression amd Acas have recently published new guidance on Promoting Positive Mental Health in the Workplace together with two online guides Dealing with Stress in the Workplace and Managing Staff Experiencing Mental Ill Health.
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If you would like further information or support for your business please contact Sheila Watson on 01429 857082.
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