The
Health and Safety Executive (HSE) is currently developing a series of
management standards to help employers deal with workplace stress. The current
draft of the standards are now being piloted across 24 private and public
sector organisations.
The
standards are based on six causes of stress at work: demand, control, support,
relationships, role and change. Organisations can satisfy the first three
standards (demand, control and support) if 85 per cent of staff surveyed
indicate that they are happy with their work in these areas. The remaining
three standards are achieved if 65 per cent of staff report they are satisfied.
HSE
inspectors are being trained to help organisations tackle stress in the
workplace, and the guidelines will go to consultation when the pilot ends in
December. The HSE is looking for feedback before the standards are phased in
during 2004.
