Accessibility statement

What is stress?

It is important that all staff have a clear understanding of what we mean by stress, a word that is often abused and overused. 

Stress is:

  • the adverse reaction that people have to excessive pressure or other types of demand placed on them;  if exposure to excessive pressure is prolonged or particularly intense, it can lead to a range of emotional, physical, mental ill health effects which can impact on performance and attendance at work
  • capable of affecting anyone if the level of pressure becomes too great for an individual to cope with; this level will vary from person to person, with identical stressors producing different reactions in different people and what stresses some will motivate others
  • caused by a range of factors; work-related factors include the demands of the job and how much control an individual has over it, the support they receive, the type of role they have, relationships with fellow workers, and the way that changes at work are managed

 Stress is not:

  • the positive type of pressure which challenges and motivate us all in our work
  • a sign of weakness

We are all exposed to pressures and personal challenges in our lives. Whilst it is not always possible or even desirable to eliminate these pressures, it is important that the Department and staff work together to reduce any negative impact from them.