Accessibility statement

Departmental Stress Policy Statement

As a Department with an outstanding reputation in research and teaching, our culture is one that encourages challenge and development at collective and individual level.  However, we also recognise the need to fulfil our moral and legal obligations to ensure those challenges do not have a negative impact on our staff’s health.

The Department recognises work related stress as a significant health hazard requiring effective management. 

Emphasis will be on:

  • ‘prevention rather than cure’ by taking reasonable measures to manage recognised ‘stress risk factors’ involving the application of good working practices

The aim is to protect staff from the adverse effects of excessive pressure that may arise from work activities by:

  • educating and informing managers and staff about work-related stress
  • working to avoid exposing staff to long-term stress which presents a significant risk of ill-health (compared to exposure to short-term stress which is unlikely to cause ill-health)
  • endeavouring to provide a good fit between the staff member and their job
  • providing clear guidance and straightforward processes for reporting work-related stress
  • investigating all reported cases of work related stress to identify the cause(s) and agreeing reasonable measures to help manage them
  • providing an open and supportive environment for members of staff suffering from stress

The departmental stress policy focuses on work-related stress, but it is important to recognise that home and personal problems can cause or contribute to an individual’s stress which may then impact on their work. Problems should be discussed with staff in a supportive way, and managers may find it helpful to signpost staff to sources of support.