Work-related stress
A harmful reaction people have to undue pressure or demands placed on them at work. Employers are required to assess and manage the causes of work-related stress under their general duty to assess and control risks.
Also known as
By jurisdiction
UK HSE
“work-related stress”SharedHSE defines work-related stress as the adverse reaction people have to excessive pressures or other types of demand placed on them at work. Employers must assess and control risks from work-related stress under MHSWR 1999 regulation 3. HSE publishes the Management Standards for work-related stress, covering six key areas: demands, control, support, relationships, role, and change.
Irish HSA
“work-related stress”SharedWork-related stress is recognised by the HSA as a health and safety risk requiring risk assessment under the Safety, Health and Welfare at Work Act 2005, section 19. HSA guidance recommends a systematic approach to identifying stress risk factors and implementing controls.
US OSHA
“work-related stress”No equivalentNo equivalent in this jurisdiction.
Note: No specific standalone stress regulation in any of the three frameworks. The duty arises from the general risk assessment obligation and, in the EU, the Framework Directive.
Practitioner note: Assess the causes at organisational level — demands, control, support, relationships, role and change. Individual resilience training does not address the duty.