The law relating to stress at work has mainly evolved from case law. There are, however, a number of laws which are relevant including The Health and Safety at Work Act 1974. This places a duty on employers to

• take steps to protect, as far as is reasonably practical, the health, safety and welfare of their employees. Injury arising from stress related illnesses is included here
• undertake risk assessments including those for stress.

In November 2004 HSE published new Management Standards to identify and reduce stress at work.

By putting robust strategies in place with a regular process of reviews, organisations can adopt a preventative approach and in the case of an action being taken against them, be in a strong position to demonstrate that they took all reasonable steps possible to protect staff from the effects of stress at work.

HSE have identified 4 key sectors where they now wish to see a reduction in work related stress– education, local and central government, health and finance.