How to tackle stress in the workplace

摘要

"Work-related stress accounts for more than a third of UK work-related ill-health cases, with an estimated 12 million working days lost annually because of it. Being under pressure is normal. It can help us take action, feel more energised and get results. But if we are often overwhelmed by stress, these feelings could become a problem. Stress isn't a psychiatric diagnosis, but can cause mental health problems such as anxiety or depression. Work-related stress is the response people may have when presented with work demands and pressures not matched to their knowledge and abilities - and made worse when employees feel they have little support from supervisors and colleagues and little control over work processes. Stress can affect all aspects of life and lead to poor productivity and performance, human error, increased sickness absences, more accidents and high staff turnover. But as people handle stress differently, symptoms can vary. There is no law aimed at workplace stress, but employers have duties under the Health and Safety at Work Act and the Management of Health and Safety at Work regulations 1999. Stress should be seen as a hazard to everyday work just like any other aspect of health and safety. So the main objective should be to minimise the risk of stress-related illness by raising awareness and making provisions against stress-related illness at all levels.