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Work related stress - Stress risk assessment


Work-related stress, depression or anxiety is defined as a harmful reaction people have to undue pressures and demands placed on them at work. The estimates from the Labour Force Survey (LFS) show: The total number of cases of work-related stress, depression, or anxiety in 2020/21 was 822,000, a prevalence rate of 2,480 per 100,000 workers.

Download our work-related stress guidance catalogue (pdf)

While the highest incidence rates are recorded in the public services - education, health and social care, prisons, emergency services, and local and central government - there is increasing evidence that it is becoming a significant problem in other sectors.

When it is prolonged, WRS can lead to mental health conditions such as anxiety and depression, as well as physical conditions. The key stressors most often identified are high workloads, high demands and insufficient support from managers.

The guidance below will help you to make sure that you are managing stress in the workplace and recognising the signs and symptoms of stress at work.


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Workplace Stress Indicator Tool


Industry experts at HSE have developed and produced an online Stress Indicator Tool (SIT) that measures the attitudes and perceptions of employees towards work-related stress. SIT provides anonymous feedback and is a quick and easy way to determine the extent to which work-related stress is a problem within an organisation.

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