Stress doesn’t always look like stress

Many men work in sectors such as construction, manufacturing, Live Entertainment, transport and agriculture, where demanding workloads, long hours, tight deadlines and organisational change can all contribute to pressure at work.

The signs are not always obvious. They may include irritability, difficulty concentrating, changes in behaviour, poor sleep, fatigue, or struggling with routine tasks.

That’s why early conversations matter.

Start the conversation

One of the most effective ways to prevent work-related stress is to talk about it before it escalates.

A simple check-in with a colleague, a conversation about workload, or raising concerns early can help prevent issues developing further.

HSE’s Working Minds campaign encourages employers and workers to:

• Recognise
• Reach out
• Respond
• Reflect
• make it Routine

The 5 steps help organisations manage work-related stress as a workplace risk and take practical action before harm occurs.

Recognise the signs and take action by accessing HSE’s free online learning platform, which provides practical guidance and tools to manage work-related stress.

A workplace risk like any other

Work-related stress should be managed in the same way as any other workplace risk.

Whether caused by excessive demands, lack of support, uncertainty during change or conflicting priorities, identifying and addressing the source is key to prevention.

Employers have a legal duty to assess and manage the risks of work-related stress and take practical steps to prevent harm. That means including stress in risk assessments and acting on it.

Download a stress risk assessment template to develop your processes for preventing or managing stressors.

Take action this Men’s Health Week

HSE has stress talking toolkits for a range of sectors, which can help you to structure your conversations with workers.

ABTT Resources

ABTT Codes of Practice / Guidance Notes