Work-related stress
Preventing and managing work-related stress
Work-related stress
Work-related stress is defined by the HSE as 'the adverse reaction people have to excessive pressures or other types of demand placed on them'.
At the University, work related stress is managed by:
- Schools and services completing a preventative risk assessment for stress at work (using the partially completed template provided below).
- Providing support to individuals where work-related stress is confirmed or likely (managers and staff may wish to use the framework provided below).
This approach is based on the HSE’s management standards model, where work-related stress is managed by focusing on six key areas: demands, control, support, relationships, role and change.
If you would like to discuss managing work-related stress in your school or service, please contact bristol-safety@bristol.ac.uk.
Examples of support Safety and Health Services can provide to both individuals and teams include:
- Help with understanding work related stress.
- Signposting to other useful resources both within the University and externally.
- Getting started with the preventative risk assessment template.
- Advice on adding local control measures to the risk assessment template.
- Next steps after completing the preventive risk assessment and producing an action plan.
External resources
- HSE: Poster on stress
- HSE: Work-related stress management standards
- UCEA: Stress and mental wellbeing resources for HEIs
- Mind the Mental Health Charity: How to be mentally healthy at work
UoB resources
Following HSE standards
University of Bristol guidance follows the HSE’s management standards for work-related stress and gives practical advice on meeting the requirements of the University’s work-related stress policy.
Local work-related stress risk assessment guidance
Purpose: Preventative approach intended to reduce the likelihood of work-related stress occurring in a local area, school or service.
How to use: Guidance and template risk assessment reviewing the control measures in place and the likelihood of harm occurring, then assisting with developing an action plan if further measures are required to control the risks. The template is pre-populated with organisational-level control measures that are applicable to all areas of the University, and the local area can add its own local control measures.
Resources:
- Work-related stress risk assessment guidance (PDF)
- Work-related stress risk assessment guidance (Word Doc)
Relevant for: Each school or service
Work-related stress individual action plan
Purpose: Advice for when individual cases of work-related stress are confirmed or likely. This guidance helps line managers and members of staff to hold a positive conversation about work-related stress. An action plan template is included to agree and record next steps and actions.
Resources:
- Work-related stress individual action plan (PDF)
- Work-related stress individual action plan (Word Doc)
Relevant for: Line managers and individual members of staff experiencing work-related stress
University policy
Read the policy on work-related stress.