Workplace stress has received a pletora of media exposure in recent years. It has also been subject of a number of largescale research projects aimed at assessing extent of apparent problem.

This article aims to bring together recent research and consider whether or not concerns about workplace stress are a genuine occupational health problem or actually a much smaller problem which is being exploited by employees.

What is stress?

The HSE defines stress as ‘the adverse reaction people have to excessive pressure or other types of demand placed on them’. Pressure is an essential part of all work and helps to keep us motivated. However, when this pressure reaches high levels it can make employees ill and undermine their performance.

What are causes of work related stress?

Stress can be a major problem and can affect anyone. The conditions which may lead to stress include:

•Too much, or too little work to do •Boring or repetitive work •Role confusion •Lack of control •Lack of communication •Blame culture •Lack of support for individuals to develop their skills •Inflexible work schedules •Poor working relationships with other members of staff •Bullying, racial or sexual harassment •Physical danger (such as risk of violence) •Poor working conditions (such as noise)

What are effects of stress at work?

Of course, over short periods, stress is perfectly healthy, and virtually everyone can cope with it in small doses. However, over a prolonged period, stress can bring about major problems such as heart disease and stroke. Although some people appear to enjoy stress, for others, outcomes can be devastating. One piece of Scottish research found that heart attacks were more likely to occur on a Monday than on any other day of week. Some of other consequences of stress can include:

•The development of stomach ulcers and increased blood pressure

•Over-indulgence in unhealthy habits, such as overeating, smoking and drinking

•Insomnia, which in turn can decrease performance at work, and increase level of stress experienced.

•Depression

•Stress can also affect a woman's ability to conceive. A recent study which found high levels of stress hormone cortisol in women whose periods had either stopped or were wildly irregular.

Different jobs and stress levels

Different careers present more stress than others. In particular, various professions are shown to cause different types of stress and these are generally put into three broad categories; physical health, psychological health and job dissatisfaction:

Top ten most stressful jobs in UK based on physical and psychological stress, and job dissatisfaction (Source - *Source - Robertson Cooper 01/06/2004)

Physical health

1 Ambulance 2 Teachers 3 Social services, providing care 4 Customer services (call centre) 5 Bar staff 6 Prison officer 7 Management (private sector) 8 Clerical and admin 9 Police 10 Teaching assistant

Psychological health

1 Social services, providing care 2 Teachers 3 Fire brigade 4 Ambulance 5 Vets 6 Lecturers 7 Clerical and admin 8 Management (private sector) 9 Prison officer 10 Research (academic)

Stress at work and law

There is no single or specific law governing workplace stress in UK. However, employers do have responsibilities for their workers' stress levels under general health and safety at work regulations and through common law principles determined by a number of court actions. Below are main regulations which concern workplace stress:

•1974 - Health and Safety at Work Act This legislation gives employers a 'duty of care' to ensure that employees are not made ill by their work.

•1992 – Management of Health and Safety at Work Regulations This aims to help employers to assess nature and scale of risks to health in workplace and put adequate control measures in place.

•European Union Working Time Directive Designed to limit length of working week and requires employers to adjust conditions to suit employee.