UK - Is Your Organisation Prioritising Work-related Stress? NEBOSH and HSE Collaborate on New Qualification

Original article published by SHP Online

Half of all work-related ill health in the UK is caused by stress, depression or anxiety. Similar statistics reverberate around the world; 68% of UAE workers report work-related stress , there is an estimated $50bn economic cost to Canada from poor mental health in the workplace and 55% of professionals in India feel stressed at work.

NEBOSH and the UK’s health and safety regulator, the Health and Safety Executive (HSE), have collaborated to develop a new qualification that gives people the tools to manage and prevent stress in the workplace.

The NEBOSH HSE Certificate in Managing Stress at Work has been developed with the expertise of HSE’s organisational psychologists. The syllabus covers six key areas of work design – demands, control, support, relationships, role and change – to help learners proactively assess and manage work-related stress.

Chris Austin, HSE’s Head of Training and Events says, “Tackling work-related stress is a strategic priority for HSE. We’re delighted to have worked with NEBOSH on this new certificate to equip employers and managers with a greater understanding of the challenges and requirements associated with workplace stress and to give them the confidence to proactively support the wellbeing of their employees. It’s a great addition to the range of tools and support from HSE that helps businesses and workers understand the best ways to prevent work-related stress and encourage good mental health, as part of our Working Minds campaign”.

The 2019-20 Labour Force Survey data from Great Britain showed that stress, depression or anxiety results in an average of 21.6 days off work, longer than any other reason for absence. By developing this new qualification, NEBOSH and the HSE want to help organisations adopt strategic interventions that address the root causes of stress, supporting employees to remain healthy, happy and productive at work.

Matt Powell-Howard, NEBOSH Head of Product Development, says: “Stress, anxiety and depression are not left in the workplace – they go home with workers every day, affecting their quality of life in all areas.

“Employers in Great Britain have a legal duty to protect employees from stress at work by doing a risk assessment and acting on it. They are also in a powerful position to positively influence the mental wellbeing of their employees and the benefits of doing that are numerous, at both the individual and organisational level. Research from Deloitte earlier this year revealed that the UK employer cost of poor mental health is increasing. Yet, for those that are proactive and invest in interventions there is an average return of £5.30 for every £1 spent. And let’s not forget the huge moral reason to take action – it’s simply the right thing to do!”

The NEBOSH HSE Certificate in Managing Stress at Work is available to study via NEBOSH’s global network of Learning Partners. For further information visit the NEBOSH website.

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