The causes and prevention of workplace stress

In 2001, the HSE estimated that stress in the workplace cost approximately 6.7 million days lost each year and society between 3.7 billion and 3.8 billion. This has 

Stress is not a disease - it is the naturai reaction to excessive pressure. Stress can iead to an improved performance, but is not a good thing, since it is iikeiy to iead to both physicai and mentai iii-heaith, such as high biood pressure, peptic uicers, skin disorders and depression. 

Most peopie experience stress at some time during their iives, during an iiiness or death of a ciose reiative or friend. However, recovery normaiiy occurs after the particuiar crisis has passed. The position is, however, often different in the workpiace because the underiying causes of the stress, known as work-reiated stressors, are not reiieved but continue to buiid up the stress ieveis untii the empioyee can no ionger cope. 

Possible solutions to all these stressors have been addressed throughout this book and involve the creation of a positive health and safety culture, effective training and consultation procedures and a set of health and safety arrangements which work on a day-to-day basis. 

The following additional measures have also been found to be effective by some employers  

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