The Health and Safety Executive defines work-related stress as "the adverse reaction people have to excessive pressure or other types of demands placed on them”. This makes an important distinction between pressure, which can be a positive state if managed correctly, and stress, which can be detrimental to health.

Legal Framework:

The University recognises that, as an employer, it has a duty under the Health and Safety at Work etc Act 1974 to ensure, so far as is reasonably practicable, that its workplaces are safe and healthy. This includes taking steps to make sure our employees do not suffer stress-related illness as a result of their work

Under the Management of Health and Safety at Work Regulations, the University must take account of the risk of stress related ill health. The main provisions of these Regulations as far as stress is concerned are: a duty to assess, to apply principles of prevention, to ensure employees’ capability and provide training, and certain duties towards young people.

In order to tackle work related stress, the University will:

- identify workplace stressors and conduct risk assessments to eliminate stress or control the risks from stress. These risk assessments will be periodically undertaken
- consult as appropriate with Trade Union Safety Representatives and Departmental Safety Advisors on proposed action relating to the prevention of workplace stress
- provide training for Heads of Schools/Departments and supervisory staff in good management practices
- provide appropriate support for staff affected by stress caused by either work or external factors
- provide support to Heads of Schools/Departments to implement the University’s agreed stress management policy.

Under the law an employer is entitled to assume that an employee can withstand the normal pressures of the job unless the employer is aware of some particular vulnerability.