The risk management of occupational stress

Abstract

In Europe, occupational stress is considered as a risk-assessable disease. Recent high-profile litigation cases have raised awareness of the risk posed by workplace stress. Whilst legislation provides guidelines for the risk assessment of physical hazards, there remains little guidance for employers concerning occupational stress. This article proposes a risk management methodology that might be used to identify hazards and assess the level of risk associated with those hazards, using well-validated stress audit instruments, for example the Occupational Stress Indicator. It is suggested that a risk management approach is both informative and cost-effective. High risks, which may require more expensive organisational development solutions, can be differentiated and prioritised from lower risks, which may be effectively controlled through stress management or Employee Assistance Programmes.