Stress at Work: Draft Management Standards Published

The HSE has published its much-anticipated draft Management Standards for stress and a draft process for piloting these in your organisation. The HSE's approach is for employers to assess how staff feel about six key areas, as follows:

Demands - at least 85% of employees should indicate that they are able to cope with the demands of their jobs.

Control - at least 85% of employees should indicate that they are able to have a say about the way they do their work.

Support - at least 85% of employees indicate that they receive adequate information and support from their colleagues and superiors.

Relationships - at least 65% of employees indicate that they are not subjected to unacceptable behaviours (for example, bullying) at work.

Role - at least 65% of employees indicate that they understand their role and responsibilities.

Change - at least 65% of employees indicate that the organisation engages them frequently when undergoing an organisational change.

The formal pilot study is due to finish in Autumn 2003 and evaluation will continue into 2004. In the meantime, the HSE is keen for employers to try the draft Standards and evaluation process and provide feedback. Full information is available online at:
www.hse.gov.uk/stress/stresspilot/
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