Mates in Mind warns HSE “stepping up” focus on stress following university breach

“With Stress Awareness Month approaching and HSE stepping up its focus on stress management, now is the time to ask – are we actively assessing and mitigating stress on an individual level across all areas of the business?” said a press release issued this week from the UK charity.

On 11 December last year, HSE served a Notice of Contravention on the University of Birmingham concluding it failed to implement its stress management policy.

HSE found that, although the university had a stress risk assessment in place, it did not identify particular job roles that may be at higher risk and was “too generic” to consider specific key stressors.

Employees had also not been involved in its development and control measures identified were not implemented. 

Employees should be involved in the development of a stress risk assessment. Photograph: iStock

A NOC is a written letter from HSE, which identifies the provisions of the law the inspector considers have been breached, and the reasons for that opinion. It may lead to further enforcement if the issues identified are not addressed, or if the inspector believes that stronger measures are needed to secure compliance.

HSE rarely takes regulatory action on stress and Mates in Mind says this signals a tightening of focus on workplace stress: “This action demonstrates HSE’s clear intention to investigate potential breaches of HSE legislation.”

To help organisations stay compliant, Mates in Mind suggests senior leaders and H&S teams ask five key questions:

1. Do we have a mental health policy?
2. Are we conducting individual stress risk assessments?
3. What action do we take as a result of those assessments?
a. Do we mitigate the risks?
b. Do we make reasonable work adjustments where necessary?
4. Do we conduct the assessments on a regular basis?
5. Where do we safely store this information/evidence?

The human cost of inaction

Mates in Mind is highlighting the Birmingham case because of real concerns that many employers are still neglecting their responsibilities to tackle stress.

A Mates in Mind survey found that almost 70 per cent of respondents said that their line managers do not know how to undertake stress risk assessments or understand when they may be necessary. Furthermore, 61 per cent, said they have not provided all employees with general mental health awareness training in the last two years.

Beyond the legal risks, the human cost of unmanaged stress can be devastating. 

Mates in Mind has shared the story of Chris who worked in construction for 30 years. In 2019, he experienced a mental health crisis brought on by severe work-related stress, which developed at rapid speed and had catastrophic consequences. Chris died by suicide. 

His family’s message is clear: “Companies need to be aware of what is happening and that stress can kill. It does kill.”

Get Involved 

Mates in Mind is inviting professionals to watch a series of short videos and download free resources for Stress Awareness Month here

Mates in Mind is a leading UK charity which enables organisations of any size, to proactively improve their workforce wellbeing through building positive mental health in and through work.