• Under an implied term in all employment contracts, organisations have a duty of care to provide a safe working environment, safe systems of work and carry out regular risk assessments for their workforce whether they are at work or working from home.
  • The Health & Safety Act 1974 also imposes statutory duties on employers towards their employees, members of the public and others who are affected by their activities.
  • In addition to physical risks, organisations have a legal duty to protect employees from work-related stress and adverse impact on their mental health as a result of their work or working environment and as part of this, should carry out stress risk assessments.
  • The Health and Safety Executive (HSE) identifies six main causes of stress at work including an inability to cope with a job’s demands, lack of control over how the work is done, lack of appropriate information, and difficult or hostile work relationships.
  • The HSE lists high turnover, increased sickness absence and decreased performance as signs of stress in work teams, and poor punctuality and loss of motivation and confidence, as signs of stress in individuals.
  • Employers should match job demands to workers’ skills and knowledge and provide planning, training and support to reduce workplace stress levels.
  • In addition, the Equality Act 2010 imposes specific duties to make reasonable adjustments to the workplace and duties of any disabled employee or new recruit where they are placed at a substantial disadvantage.
  • Special health & safety obligations, including additional risk assessment obligations are placed on employers where an employee is pregnant or breastfeeding. 

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Disclaimer 

​Please note: While every care has been taken in compiling this content, CIPD cannot be held responsible for any errors or omissions. These notes are not intended to be a substitute for specific legal advice. 

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