HSE Launches Campaign to Combat Workplace Stress

This April, the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) has introduced the “Working Minds” campaign to support employers in safeguarding their employees’ mental well-being. The initiative aims to equip business leaders across Britain with essential tools and knowledge to effectively address workplace stress.

Liz Goodwill, head of the work-related stress and mental health policy team at HSE, emphasised the importance of collective action during Stress Awareness Month. Goodwill invited business owners, employers, and managers to join the campaign and make a difference by following five simple steps.

Throughout the month-long campaign, employers are encouraged to focus on one of the 5 Rs each week:

Reach out, recognise signs and causes, respond to risks, reflect on actions taken, and make it Routine. By systematically addressing stress-related challenges, organisations can foster a healthier workplace environment.

Goodwill also highlighted the legal obligation of employers to help prevent work-related stress, emphasising that it’s not only a moral imperative but also a legal requirement. The Working Minds campaign offers resources and support mechanisms, including free online learning modules and risk assessment templates, to aid businesses in this endeavour.

The campaign has garnered support from prominent organizations such as the CIPD and NEBOSH. Rachel Suff, senior policy advisor at the CIPD, stressed the importance of a proactive approach to employee well-being, urging organisations to prioritise prevention alongside support.

Six primary areas have been identified as potential sources of work-related stress:

• demands
• control
• support
• relationships
• role change

Effective management of these factors can create a conducive work environment that promotes mental well-being and productivity.

Matt Powell-Howard, Head of Product Development at NEBOSH, reaffirmed NEBOSH’s commitment to promoting good mental health and preventing work-related stress. NEBOSH has collaborated with HSE to develop the NEBOSH HSE Certificate in Managing Stress at Work qualification, further supporting employers in meeting legal obligations.

We reached out to Valerie Rees, our Chief People Officer at Alcumus, to gather her insights on how businesses can effectively address stress. She emphasised that Alcumus takes a holistic approach to supporting employee well-being, with a dedicated team of over 40 Mental Health First Aiders, an Employee Assistance Programme, and a benefits hub offering resources to promote good mental health. Valerie also highlighted that a recent employee engagement survey revealed that 80% of our employees reported having good well-being at work, indicating that the measures in place are having a positive effect.

“With our employees’ ages ranging from 17 all the way through to 72, we recognise the importance of encouraging well-being at all stages of our lives and careers.’

As Stress Awareness Month unfolds, the Working Minds campaign offers hope, empowering employers to proactively address stress and foster a culture of well-being in the workplace. Through collective action, British businesses can pave the way for a healthier, more resilient workforce.