|
 | about Bupa | press releases
Bosses face fines for workplace stress
5 August 2003
Britain’s bosses across the country are at risk from legal action and unlimited fines if they do not take adequate steps to combat stress in the workplace. Bupa’s warning follows the first ever “enforcement notice” issued by the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) for a UK organisation that is currently failing to protect its employees from stress in the workplace. The HSE rules apply to all organisations in the UK whether they employ one person or 100,000.
Even at this time of year when the sun is shining and people are jetting away on holiday, workers can be suffering from work related stress which affects one in five people and is the cause of more than 13 million lost working days each year. Stress is one of the main causes of work illness and can result in alcoholism and mental disorders. Understanding and spotting stress can be very difficult for employers and employees alike however, there are certain tell tale signs to look out for such as severe fatigue, frequent absence, accidents, “protective” body language and substance or alcohol abuse.
Dr Peter Mace, one of Bupa’s occupational health experts commented, “One of the best ways to deal with stress at work is to ensure employees use up their full holiday allowance and take regular breaks from their immediate working environment, even if it means walking to the water fountain. Stress at work could be a symptom of problems at home however, employers still need to provide support for their staff. Help lines which give access to legal, financial and personal advice are a great way to provide confidential support to staff and relieve some of the pressures which may be contributing to a stressful environment.”
In 2001, 6,428 companies were forced to pay out on stress related damages claims, with an average award of £51,000. To avoid prosecution, at least 85 per cent of an organisation’s employees need to say that they are able to cope with the demands of their job and 65 per cent need to say that they are not subjected to unacceptable behaviour, such as bullying in the workplace.
Dr Mace continued: “This should act as a wake up call to many employers who only fulfil their statutory rights to provide staff with a safe and comfortable working environment.”
A recent Home Office survey found that nurses and teachers are the most stressed workers. British workers are among the hardest working in Europe with longer hours and fewer holidays than most of our European neighbours. This means UK employers need to adopt a proactive approach and undertake an adequate risk assessment to help identify and manage stress in the workplace.
Dr Mace concluded: “We are finding that more and more companies are investing in telephone and face-to-face counselling for employees with work related or personal problems such as emotional, legal and financial issues.”
|
