Stress and wellbeing: UK employment law

Essential points

• Employers have a legal duty to protect the health, safety and welfare of their employees and other people who might be affected by their work activities.
• Employers must do whatever is reasonably practical to achieve this protection.  
• Employees have responsibility for their own health, safety and wellbeing.  
• Organisations must carry out risk assessments to identify potential hazards at work. This includes carrying out an assessment of work-related stress.   
• High turnover, increased sickness absence and decreased performance can be signs of stress. Employers should take action to prevent such stress.