November 21, 2003—The UK Health and Safety Executive (HSE) has launched a new practical guidance kit to enable employers and employees to develop solutions to workplace stress problems. UK Minister for Work Des Browne said, “Over half a million people in the UK are currently experiencing work-related stress at a level they believe is making them ill. The Government is committed to working with business to tackle the problem, which currently costs our society about 3.7 billion every year.” He added, “The Government’s approach is based on encouraging supportive organizational cultures where employers work with staff and their representatives to identify and address real employee concerns in a positive way.”
The guidance, called Real solutions, real people—A managers’ guide to tackling work-related stress, contains examples of clear, practical measures as a discussion-starter on how to tackle the findings of a stress risk assessment for an individual organization. The guidance pack includes an introduction on how to use it, learning points, prompt cards, and an action plan to record and monitor what needs to be done.
Information and links concerning stress are available from HSE. The publication itself will be available from HSE Books, PO Box 1999, Sudbury, Suffolk CO10 2WA, or Tel. 01787 881165, priced 20.00 for an introductory period of six months and then 25.00.
