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HSE defines work-related stress as the adverse reaction people have to excessive pressures or other types of demand placed on them at work. Stress, depression and anxiety consistently account for around half of all work-related ill health in Great Britain, making it one of the biggest health risks at work.
What the law requires
There is no specific stress law, but employers have the same duties as for any other risk. The Health and Safety at Work etc. Act 1974 requires them to protect employees’ health, and the Management of Health and Safety at Work Regulations 1999 require them to assess the risks, including the risk of stress, and act on the findings.
HSE’s six Management Standards
| Standard | What it covers | Questions to ask |
|---|---|---|
| Demands | Workload, work patterns and the work environment | Can people cope with the amount and pace of work? |
| Control | How much say people have in how they do their work | Do people have a say over how and when they work? |
| Support | Encouragement, sponsorship and resources from the organisation, managers and colleagues | Do people know where to get help, and do they get it? |
| Relationships | Promoting positive working and dealing with unacceptable behaviour | Are conflict and bullying dealt with? |
| Role | Whether people understand their role and avoid conflicting roles | Do people know what is expected of them? |
| Change | How organisational change is managed and communicated | Are people consulted and kept informed about change? |
How to carry out a stress risk assessment
- Identify the risk factors using the six Management Standards.
- Gather information: sickness absence, turnover, exit interviews, surveys such as HSE’s Management Standards Indicator Tool, and conversations.
- Talk to employees, through focus groups or team meetings, to understand the causes and agree solutions.
- Record your findings and an action plan with owners and dates.
- Monitor and review, checking whether the actions have worked.
Assess the risk at team level as well as for individuals who are struggling. Our free risk assessment template can be adapted to record the findings.
Signs of stress to look for
| In teams | In individuals |
|---|---|
| Arguments and conflict | Taking more time off, or arriving late |
| Higher staff turnover | Withdrawn, irritable or more emotional |
| More sickness absence | Loss of motivation, confidence or concentration |
| Reduced performance | Working longer hours but achieving less |
What managers can do
- Have regular one to ones that include workload and wellbeing
- Act early when someone seems to be struggling, and listen
- Agree reasonable adjustments, and review them
- Signpost support, such as an employee assistance programme or occupational health
- Look at causes in the team, not only the individual
Our articles on looking after your mental health at work and managing anxiety at work give practical advice for individuals.
Training that helps
The NEBOSH HSE Certificate in Managing Stress at Work is designed for managers and HR professionals, and is based on HSE’s Management Standards approach. For quick online training, see our stress in the workplace eLearning, stress management eLearning and mental health and wellbeing eLearning.
Frequently asked questions
Is work-related stress a health and safety issue?
Yes. Employers must assess the risk of work-related stress and act on it, like any other health risk.
What are HSE’s Management Standards?
Six areas of work that, if not properly managed, are linked to stress: demands, control, support, relationships, role and change.
Do I need a stress risk assessment?
Employers must assess the risk of stress. Organisations with five or more employees must record the significant findings.
Is stress a reportable illness under RIDDOR?
No. Work-related stress is not reportable under RIDDOR, but it should still be recorded and managed.
Read the source
HSE’s Management Standards for work-related stress and the Management Standards Indicator Tool; HSE guidance HSG218, Tackling work-related stress; the Management of Health and Safety at Work Regulations 1999, regulation 3; and HSE’s annual statistics on work-related ill health. Facts checked on 6 October 2026.
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