Lets talk about stress

Latest statistics released by the HSE show that around 595,000 workers were reported to be suffering from work related stress, depression or anxiety in 2017/18, leading to 15.54 million lost working days. This represents over half of all working days lost due to ill health.

The main sources of stress, anxiety or depression were identified as workload (44% of cases), lack of support (14%), violence, threats or bullying (13%) and changes at work (8%).

The overall rate of stress, anxiety or depression had been broadly flat for some time but are currently showing signs of increasing. The sectors with higher than average rates of stress, depression or anxiety were education, human health and social work and public administration / defence.

To help combat stress at work the HSE have launched a new “Talking Toolkit” to help line managers have conversations with their staff on six key topics covering demand, control, support, relationships, role and change.

The toolkit requires employers to make sure time is available for line managers and workers to have open and honest conversations.

This can be downloaded from the HSE’s Go Home Health campaign website at: https://www.hse.gov.uk/gohomehealthy/stress.htm

If you have any questions about work related stress please get in touch.