Having conversation about work-related stress

This is an important step towards preventing work-related stress and implementing change in your organisation. Normalising conversations about stress can also reduce stigma and encourage people to speak out.

The Health, Safety and Environment (HSE) have developed a ‘talking toolkit’ to help leaders have conversations with workers about stress, with different templates for conversations based on the six key areas included in the HSE Management Standards Framework. For example, for control, employers could ask people the following questions:

• Do you feel involved in how decisions about your job are made? Think about whether you feel listened to and trusted, how you are consulted and any opportunities for input.

• Do you feel your skills are used to good effect? How could they be used more effectively?

• Do you feel you have a say in how your work is organised and undertaken?

• What improvements or support is needed to help with any of the issues you have talked about?