A free stress management tool designed to equip managers with the necessary skills to reduce and prevent staff stress has been launched by the CIPD and the Health and Safety Executive.

The CIPD’s latest Absence Management survey identified stress as the UK’s number one reason for long-term sickness absence, with poor management a key cause of work-related anxiety.

The new resource has been created to help “hold up a mirror” to managers, so that they understand how their behaviour impacts on the people they manage.

The tool, available on the CIPD/AXA PPP employee health and well-being website, features online resources for leaders to assist them manage their team in ways that prevent and reduce levels of stress.

Learning materials to help HR practitioners support managers in improving their management style are also available.

Ben Willmott, the CIPD’s head of public policy, warned of the perils of workplace stress to both organisations and employees.

“It is in employers’ interests to ensure managers have the necessary people management skills to manage and prevent stress,” he explained. “Stress is a major cause of sickness absence and lost productivity, and is linked to a higher risk of accidents at work. Prolonged exposure to stress is also linked to conditions such as depression, anxiety and an increased risk of heart disease.

“Managers can either cause or exacerbate stress or help prevent and manage it,” he continued. “This tool enables managers to understand how their management style impacts on others and can help them change their behaviour over time.”