HSE Urges Employers to Address Work-Related Stress Risks
By Safety Desk · 07 November 2026
The Health and Safety Executive is calling for immediate action from UK employers to manage workplace stress using the Working Minds campaign framework.
The Health and Safety Executive (HSE) has issued a fresh call for employers across Great Britain to prioritise the management of work-related stress. Coinciding with Stress Awareness Week, the regulator reminds businesses that they have a legal obligation to assess and mitigate psychological risks with the same level of rigour applied to physical safety hazards.
To assist organisations, the HSE is promoting its 'Working Minds' campaign and a practical '5Rs' framework: Reach out, Recognise, Respond, Reflect, and make support Routine. This approach aims to help managers identify early signs of burnout and implement consistent interventions before mental health issues lead to prolonged sickness absence or reduced site productivity.
Employers are also encouraged to review the HSE Management Standards, which focus on six core areas of work design including workload demands, staff control, and workplace relationships. By auditing these factors, procurement and safety managers can better understand how work patterns and environments impact the long-term health of their workforce.
Source: HSE Network