Stress can place immense demands on employees' physical and mental health and affect their behaviour, performance and relationships with colleagues. It's a major cause of long-term absence from work, and knowing how to manage the factors that can cause work-related stress is key to managing people effectively. Employers should take a systematic approach to identifying the risks of stress, for example by conducting stress risk assessments.
This factsheet defines stress and draws the distinction between stress and pressure. It offers information on signs of stress and concludes with guidance on how to deal with stress at work, providing information on prevention, early intervention and stress policies.
Explore our viewpoint on employee health and wellbeing in more detail.
This factsheet was last updated by Rachel Suff: Senior Employee Relations Adviser, CIPD
Rachel informs CIPD policy thinking on health and wellbeing as well as employment relations. She has over 25 years’ experience in the employment and HR arena.
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