Britain’s workplace health and safety regulator, the Health and Safety Executive (HSE), is calling on all employers during Stress Awareness Week 2024 to carry out their legal duty to prevent work-related stress and support good mental health at work.

HSE figures show the average employee suffering from work-related stress, depression or anxiety took an average of 19.6 days off work, almost the equivalent of a month’s working days, with an estimated 875,000 cases in 2022/23.

HSE’s Working Minds campaign provides employers with simple steps to prevent days lost due to work-related stress.

Kayleigh Roberts, Work-Related Stress and Mental Health Policy Lead at HSE, said: “Our statistics clearly outline that there is a work-related stress issue in Britain and we want this to change. A total of 17.1 million working days were lost in 2022/23, and this figure has a serious cost to the individual and to the business. Employers can make a difference by understanding and fulfilling their legal duty  to prevent work-related stress and support good mental health at work.

“That is why we are reminding employers during Stress Awareness Week that it is critical they  recognise the signs of work-related stress and get to the root causes behind this issue. Prevention is better than cure and understanding the risks is the first step to preventing them.”

The legal duties for employers are:

• Carry out risk assessments for stress and act on them.
• Take steps to prevent work-related stress.
• Organisations with fewer than five employees don’t have to write anything down (but it is useful to do this, for future review)
• Organisations with five or more employees, are required by law to write the risk assessment down.

There are six main areas that can lead to work-related stress if they are not managed properly. These are: demands, control, support, relationships, role and change. Factors like skills and experience, age, or disability may all affect someone’s ability to cope.

HSE offers employers free risk assessment templates and free online training to help bosses keep their workforce healthy.

Kayleigh added: “Although tackling stress may appear daunting for some employers, failing to recognise the signs of work-related stress and acting on them can result in reduced productivity, sickness absence or even losing a valued member of staff. I would urge all employers who are looking for guidance to seek help through our Working Minds campaign, which helps companies follow five simple steps.”

Working Minds calls on employers to follow the five Rs. They are to Reach out and have conversations, Recognise the signs and causes of stress, Respond to any risks you’ve identified, Reflect on actions you’ve agreed and taken, and make it Routine.

Andrew Berrie, Head of Corporate Partnerships at Mind, said: “We’re delighted to continue to support HSE’s Working Minds campaign. Mind has long been working with employers of different sizes and sectors to help them create mentally healthy workplaces, but as these insights show, this has never been more important.

“While many of us will face pressure in our working lives, unchecked and unmanageable pressures can lead to strain and can have a debilitating effect, resulting in stress. Stress can cause mental health problems, and make existing problems worse. For example, if you often struggle to manage feelings of stress, you might develop a mental health problem like anxiety or depression.

“It is vital that employers take steps to mitigate against work-related stress and create an environment in which employees can have open and honest conversations about triggers of stress and poor mental health. This can start with just a simple, person-centred conversation between managers and their teams.”

Jenny Scott, Head of Communications at NEBOSH, said: “The statistics show a worrying picture of the mental ill health that people experience because of their work. But it doesn’t have to be this way. We are delighted to continue our support for the Working Minds campaign, which provides great resources for employers who want to foster good mental health and prevent work-related stress. We will also welcome the HSE’s Phoebe Smith to the NEBOSH Online Conference this November where she will guide delegates through the essential steps of creating a work-related stress risk assessment.”

There are three main reasons employers should prevent work-related stress and support good mental health; it’s the law, it’s good for business and it’s the right thing to do.

What can employers do during Stress Awareness Week?:

• register for our free online learning
• download a risk assessment template
• see the Talking Toolkit for help structuring your conversations
• access resources to share with others

Notes to editors:

1. The Health and Safety Executive (HSE) is Britain’s national regulator for workplace health and safety. We are dedicated to protecting people and places, and helping everyone lead safer and healthier lives.
2. To read more about HSE’s Working Minds campaign click here
3. For press and media enquiries please contact media.enquiries@hse.gov.uk

Bosses across the whole of Great Britain have been warned that they risk losing valued team members if they fail to manage their workers’ stress levels in the workplace.

The Health and Safety Executive (HSE) is reminding British employers of their legal duties on World Mental Health Day (10 October).

HSE’s Working Minds campaign provides readily-available and free resources for employers to help recognise the signs and tackle the root causes of stress.

Around half of work-related ill health is down to stress, depression or anxiety with each person suffering taking an average of 19.6 days off work.

Kayleigh Roberts, Work-Related Stress Policy Lead at HSE, has urged employers to use World Mental Health Day to take the time to assess whether they are carrying out their legal duties and what they can do to prevent employees suffering from work-related stress.

She said: “We find many businesses focus on the ‘nice to have’ rather than making changes that will have a real impact. That means creating working conditions and an environment that prevents stress and supports good mental health – designing jobs with realistic workloads and targets, and encouraging people to have a healthy work-life balance.

“Prevention is better than cure – employers need to get proactive on reaching out and recognising the signs and causes of stress and bubbling issues in teams before they become problems. If you suspect you already have a problem, tackle it, it can be daunting but it’s important to address the root cause.

“Failing to manage stress at work could lead to reduced productivity, sickness absence, or even losing a valued member of the team. Our Working Minds campaign has all the resources you need to make a change. You can get started in your own workplace, and you can share the resources to help others to thrive.”

Launched in November 2021, Working Minds now has 35 partners, who have joined HSE’s campaign urging workplaces to take action on work-related stress and mental health.

Working Minds helps employers to follow five simple steps based on risk assessment. They are to Reach out and have conversations, Recognise the signs and causes of stress, Respond to any risks you’ve identified, Reflect on actions you’ve agreed and taken, and make it Routine.

There are six main areas that can lead to work-related stress if they are not managed properly. These are: demands, control, support, relationships, role and change. Factors like skills and experience, age, or disability may all affect someone’s ability to cope.

HSE has a free online learning tool for businesses with over 9,000 people already registered with over 90% saying it was easy to use and felt they could implement what they learned in their organisation.

Helpful resources:

• register for our free online learning
• download a risk assessment template
• see the Talking Toolkit for help structuring your conversations
• access resources to share with others

Notes to editors:

1. The Health and Safety Executive (HSE) is Britain’s national regulator for workplace health and safety. We are dedicated to protecting people and places, and helping everyone lead safer and healthier lives.
2. To read more about HSE’s Working Minds campaign click here
3. For press and media enquiries please contact media.enquiries@hse.gov.uk

To mark mental health awareness week, the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) welcomes new partners from the construction and entertainment sectors to join its Working Minds campaign.

Running a business in construction can be stressful with long hours and juggling intense workloads.

Meanwhile, the entertainment and leisure sector is a fast-paced and ever-changing industry, with many people self-employed, freelancing, or on short-term contracts. This can lead to uncertainty and unsociable hours.

Around half of all reported work-related ill health in Great Britain is due to stress, depression or anxiety . Whilst the causes can be due to difficult life events, they can also be caused by work-related issues or a combination of both.

In support of the Working Minds campaign, two new partners join the campaign to help promote support available to the construction and entertainment technology industries; The Scaffolding Association and Professional Lighting and Sound Association (Plasa). This takes the number of partners to a total of 35. They will be provided with the tools needed to promote good mental health in the workplace.

Mental health awareness week (13 – 19 May) is a pertinent time to remind employers and managers of the support that is available to help them to prevent work related stress, support good mental health in the workplace and meet their legal obligations to protect workers. Whether work is causing the health issue or aggravating it, employers have a legal responsibility to help their employees.

Elizabeth Goodwill, HSE Work related stress and mental health policy, said: “We spend a lot of time at work, and it can have both positive and negative effects on our mental health.

“We all have periods of good and poor health, both physically and mentally. It’s normal for people to have challenging times and, like any other work-related risk to health, risks to mental health should be included in risk assessments at work.

“Having regular conversations about work related stress and mental health helps to reduce stigma and encourages people to talk about their problems earlier. The earlier an issue is recognised, the sooner action can be taken to reduce or remove it.”

Find out more about the practical resources and support available from HSE’s Working Minds campaign including free online learning where employers can access step by step guidance in one place.

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Construction

Running a business in construction can be stressful with long hours, juggling intense workloads. According to Mates in Mind, workplace stress is being felt like never before within small, micro and sole trader businesses.

The Lighthouse Construction Industry Charity report that the highest number of calls to their helpline were from labourers.

Robert Candy, Scaffolding Association CEO, said: “Celebrating our commitment to mental health and workplace safety, we are proud to support the Health and Safety Executive Working Minds campaign. Working in the scaffolding sector can be challenging with a wide range of pressures that include finding skilled workers, maintaining a pipeline of work, and managing cash flow.

Robert adds: “At the Scaffolding Association, we firmly believe in fostering a culture of well-being and proactive support in the workplace. Through our partnership with the Working Minds campaign, we are reaffirming our dedication to promoting mental health awareness and providing support to our members in the scaffolding sector. Our members are undertaking some inspiring and innovative initiatives in this vital area, and we look forward to continuing our collaborative efforts to prioritise mental health.

Help is available

If you or someone you know needs help or support, reach out and ask how they are feeling and coping.

Working Minds Construction – Work Right to keep Britain safe

Every Mind Matters (NHS) offers a free personalised Mind Plan for tips and advice to help you look after your mental health. Just answer 5 questions online.

Mates in Mind charity can provide can also offer advice to organisations through their Supporter Programme or

• individuals can text “BeAMate” to 85258 to access free and confidential mental health support service from trained volunteers.
• download managing and reducing workplace stress handbook.
• Read the blog How are you really? by former MD, Sarah Meek.

The Lighthouse Construction Industry Charity provides free support services to any construction worker or their family including;

• 24/7 Construction Industry Helpline, call 0345 605 1956
• Text HARDHAT to 85258 f you’re uncomfortable talking and would rather text
• Free Construction Industry Helpline mobile app.

Every Mind Matters (NHS) offers a free personalised Mind Plan for tips and advice to help you look after your mental health. Just answer 5 questions online.

Entertainment 

The entertainment and leisure sector is a fast-paced and ever-changing industry, with many people self-employed, freelancing, or on short-term contracts. This can lead to uncertainty and long, unsociable hours.

Nicky Greet, Director PLASA Membership, Skills and Technical said: “PLASA fully supports the HSE Working minds campaign and is proud to be a campaign partner. For any business, people are the most important asset.”

Help is available

Entertainment and leisure – Work Right to keep Britain safe

Every Mind Matters (NHS) offers a free personalised Mind Plan for tips and advice to help you look after your mental health. Just answer 5 questions online.

Mental health resources for the entertainment and leisure sector include:

• Film & TV Charity: Confidential and free support for anyone working behind the scenes in film, TV, or cinema. Support Line 0800 054 0000.
• The Mark Milsome Foundation – Film and TV Online Safety Passport Course (90 minutes)
• Association of Event Venues – Heads up: your well-being tool kit
• Read the Blog from Mig Burgess, teacher, Creative Designer, and Production Technician on her summer commitment to learn more about work-related stress. Mig’s also produced a guidance note for The Association of British Theatre Technicians.

This April, Britain’s bosses are being invited to follow five simple steps to prevent and reduce stress in their workplace.

The Health and Safety Executive’s (HSE) Working Minds campaign has called on employers to support workers mental health during Stress Awareness Month.

Liz Goodwill, head of the work-related stress and mental health policy team at HSE, said: “We are inviting business owners, employers and managers to join others across Britain to make a difference during Stress Awareness Month in five steps.”

Over the course of the month, employers are encouraged to focus on one of the campaign’s 5 Rs for each of the five weeks. They are: to Reach out and have conversations, Recognise the signs and causes of stress, Respond to any risks you’ve identified, Reflect on actions you’ve agreed and taken, and make it Routine.

Preventing work-related stress isn’t just the right thing to do by workers, it’s the law. All employers are required to prevent work related stress to support good mental health in the workplace.

The Working Minds campaign brings together a range of tools and support to help businesses and workers including free online learning, Talking Toolkits, risk assessment templates and examples.

Liz added: “Failing to manage work-related stress can cost employers in reduced productivity, sickness absence costs, or even losing a valued member of the team. Employers are required to assess the risk of work-related stress impacting their workers, and act on the risks identified.

“As well as guiding you step by step, we provide all the practical templates, tools and resources you need to get started or, you can use it as an opportunity to review what you already do. A huge part of this is making it part of your everyday working life, not just a one-off tick box that gets forgotten about.”

The CIPD, the professional body for HR and people development, and The National Examination Board in Occupational Safety and Health (NEBOSH) are the latest organisations to join as campaign partners, taking the total supporters to more than 30.

Rachel Suff, senior policy advisor, employee relations at the CIPD, says: “Many organisations are reactive and tend to put more emphasis on providing support when people become ill rather than on prevention, including for mental ill health and stress. We need both! We want to see every organisation taking a proactive approach to employee wellbeing. We’re supporting the Working Minds campaign to help employers to create the working conditions and environment that prevents stress and supports good mental health. That also means designing jobs with realistic workloads and targets, and encouraging people to have a healthy work-life balance.”

There are six main areas that can lead to work-related stress if they are not managed properly. These are: demands, control, support, relationships, role and change. Factors like skills and experience, age, or disability may all affect someone’s ability to cope.

Matt Powell-Howard, Head of Product Development at NEBOSH, said: “I’m really pleased that NEBOSH is supporting the Working Minds campaign as we are committed to promoting good mental health and preventing work-related stress.  We were delighted to have also collaborated with HSE on the development of the NEBOSH HSE Certificate in Managing Stress at Work qualification, which is designed to help business meet their legal obligations in this area.”

If you are an employer looking for support, a good place to start is to register for free bitesize learning. https://workright.campaign.gov.uk/working-minds-learning/

You can also…

• Use a Talking Toolkit to help structure your conversations
• Download a risk assessment template to develop your processes for preventing or managing stressors
• Read the Blog: taking an organisational approach to risk assessment can tackle the root cause of issues and help the whole team.
• Find out about NEBOSH HSE Certificate in Managing Stress at Work
• Sign up to the monthly newsletter to help you champion the Working Minds campaign beyond April.

Notes to Editors:

1. The Health and Safety Executive (HSE) is Britain’s national regulator for workplace health and safety. We prevent work-related death, injury and ill health through regulatory actions that range from influencing behaviours across whole industry sectors through to targeted interventions on individual businesses. These activities are supported by globally recognised scientific expertise.
2. To read more about HSE’s Working Minds campaign click here.
3. There are 33 Working Minds campaign partners including; Mind, ACAS, CIPD, NEBOSH and IOSH.
4. NEBOSH is a leading global organisation, that enables and inspires the world of work and wider environment to be a safer and healthier place. Tens of thousands of people from more than 170 countries study for a NEBOSH qualification every year, learning with a network of over 450 Learning Partners.
   www.nebosh.org.uk.
5. CIPD is the professional body for HR and people development and has been championing better work and working lives for over 100 years. www.cipd.org/uk/.
6. For press and media enquiries please contact media.enquiries@hse.gov.uk

The construction industry has stepped-up its efforts to combat work-related stress and promote good mental health by joining Great Britain’s workplace regulator campaign.

The Working Minds campaign, set up by the Health and Safety Executive (HSE), welcomes six new partners in the construction industry to help reach trades and offer free support.

March sees the Contract Flooring Association (CFA) and the Chartered Institute of Plumbing and Heating Engineering (CIPHE), Asbestos Removal Contractors Association (ARCA), the National Federation of Demolition Contractors (NFDC), the Electrical Contractors’ Association (ECA) and the National Federation of Roofing Contractors (NFRC) commit to the campaign.

Working Minds helps employers prevent stress and support good mental health, providing free online learning to show how to make it part of routine working life and culture. The new bitesize tool typically takes no more than an hour to complete and covers what the law requires of employers and what’s needed to do to be compliant.

Users will walk through Working Minds’ five simple steps based on risk assessment. They are to Reach out and have conversations, Recognise the signs and causes of stress, Respond to any risks you’ve identified, Reflect on actions you’ve agreed and taken, and make it Routine. It needs to become the norm to talk about stress and how people are feeling and coping on site.

Liz Goodwill, head of work-related stress and mental health policy at HSE, said: “We know that running a business in construction can be stressful with long hours, juggling intense workloads.

“We are delighted the Working Minds campaign is welcoming even more partners and they will no doubt help us in our efforts to raise awareness of ways employers across Britain’s construction trades can help prevent and reduce work-related stress.

“The law requires all employers – whether you’re a demolition firm or scaffolding business – to carry out a stress risk assessment and act upon the findings. The online learning shares all the tools you need to get started in one place, and you can come back as many times as you like.”

According to Deloitte , the total annual cost of poor mental health has increased by 25% since 2019, costing UK employers up to £56 billion a year.

Help is available

If you or someone you know needs help or support, reach out and ask how they are feeling and coping. The Working Minds campaign sign-posts employers to a wide range of tools and sources of support that can help on its construction sector webpage.

Employers wishing to know more and complete the Working Minds online learning should register and get started today.

Notes to Editors:

1. The Health and Safety Executive (HSE) is Britain’s national regulator for workplace health and safety. We prevent work-related death, injury and ill health through regulatory actions that range from influencing behaviours across whole industry sectors through to targeted interventions on individual businesses. These activities are supported by globally recognised scientific expertise.
2. Working Minds campaign partners include; Mates in Mind, Lighthouse Construction charity, Contract Flooring Association (CFA) and the Chartered Institute of Plumbing and Heating Engineering (CIPHE), Asbestos Removal Contractors Association (ARCA), the National Federation of Demolition Contractors (NFDC), the Electrical Contractors’ Association (ECA) and the National Federation of Roofing Contractors (NFRC).
3. Steve Sadley, chief executive of the Asbestos Removal Contractors Association (ARCA), said: “We are pleased to support the HSE Working Minds campaign to address work-related stress, depression and anxiety. This is an important issue that employers in the asbestos removal industry should prioritise.   There are compelling reasons for asbestos removal companies to prevent work-stress and promote mental health. This includes meeting legal responsibilities, enhancing business operations, and caring for employees.“The nature of asbestos removal work can be demanding, so it’s critical to provide resources that equip teams to handle stress.   The Working Minds campaign offers helpful tools and resources to help asbestos removal companies establish effective wellbeing strategies tailored to industry-specific needs. We encourage companies in this vital field to utilise these materials to foster positive mental health practices. By working together proactively, we can create healthier and more supportive environments for asbestos removal professionals as they safely deliver this essential service.”
4. Paul Williams, HS&E Services Manager at Electrical Contractors’ Association, said: “ECA is a proud supporter of Working Minds. Our work on mental health incudes providing Mental Health First Aider courses, and awareness courses across our membership family. We strive to make conversations about mental health normal and destigmatise attitudes towards poor mental health.”
5. Jo Lear, executive assistant to technical and training at the National Federation of Demolition Contractors (NFRC), said: “NFRC is proud to continue to support the HSE Working Mind campaign. It’s an excellent resource that provides practical and useful tools to support our members mental health. NFRC is fully committed to supporting the wellbeing of our members and understand the importance of championing such great initiatives. The HSE Working Minds Campaign is positive step on a long road to improving the wellbeing and mental health of our roofing workforce.”
6. Richard Catt, CEO at the Contract Flooring Association (CFA), said: “As the CEO of the Contract Flooring Association (CFA), I am proud to support the Health and Safety Executive’s (HSE) Working Minds campaign. Work-related stress, depression, and anxiety account for half of all work-related ill health cases, highlighting the urgent need for action. Employers should recognise three compelling reasons to prioritise mental health in the workplace: it’s a legal requirement, it’s beneficial for business and productivity, and the moral imperative.“By fostering a culture of openness, understanding, and support, we can create healthier, more productive work environments for all. Together, let’s embrace the principles of the Working Minds campaign and champion mental well-being in the workplace. It’s not just about compliance; it’s about creating environments where everyone can thrive.”
7. Kevin Wellman, CEO of CIPHE, said: “As CEO of CIPHE, I proudly endorse the Working Minds campaign. It’s crucial for employers to prioritise mental health in the workplace, and this initiative provides valuable resources and support to prevent stress and promote well-being. Let’s join forces to create healthier, more supportive work environments for all.”
8. To read more about HSE’s Working Minds campaign click here
9. For press and media enquiries please contact media.enquiries@hse.gov.uk