Individual Stress Assessment

Page updated: 18/04/2024

The Individual Stress Assessment is a management tool used to recognise stress triggers and help support employees in the workplace. 

This is a proactive tool that could be used as: 

  • Part of supervision 
  • Part of appraisal sessions 
  • Part of 1-2-1 meetings 

Other times where this can be utilised are: 

  • where there is cause for concern (e.g. sickness absence, or where there are noticeable signs of stress being displayed) 
  • during return to work interview and/or employee support meetings 
  • when there is significant change within the department/area of work/team  

The stress assessment covers 6 key areas based on the Health & Safety Executive’s Management Standards for work-related stress which are identified as important in order to create a good working environment for all employees. These 6 areas are outlined below: 

 Demands

  • Do we provide you with adequate and achievable demands in relation to the agreed hours of work?; 
  • Are your skills and abilities matched to the job demands?;
  • Jobs are designed to be within your capabilities; and
  • Your concerns about your work environment are addressed. 

 Change

  • We provide employees with timely information to enable them to understand the reasons for proposed changes; 
  • We ensure adequate consultation on changes and provide opportunities for you to influence proposals; 
  • You are aware of the probable impact of any changes to your job. If necessary, you are given training to support any changes in your job;
  • You are aware of the timetable for changes;
  • You have access to relevant support during changes. 

 Role

  • We ensure that, as far as possible, the different requirements we places upon you are compatible; 
  • We provide information to enable you to understand your role and responsibilities; 
  • We ensure that, as far as possible, the requirements we place upon you are clear and systems are in place to enable you to raise concerns about any uncertainties or conflicts you have in your role and responsibilities. 

 Relationships

  • We promote positive behaviours at work to avoid conflict and ensure fairness; 
  • You share information relevant to your work;
  • We have agreed policies and procedures to prevent or resolve unacceptable behaviour;
  • Systems are in place to enable and encourage managers to deal with unacceptable behaviour; and 
  • Systems are in place to enable and encourage you to report unacceptable behaviour. 

 Support

  • We have policies and procedures to adequately support you; 
  • Systems are in place to enable and encourage managers to support their staff; 
  • Systems are in place to enable and encourage employees to support their colleagues; 
  • You know what support is available and how and when to access it; 
  • You know how to access the required resources to do your job; and 
  • You receive regular and constructive feedback. 

 Control

  • Where possible, do you have control over your pace of work?; 
  • Are you encouraged to use your skills and initiative to do your work?; 
  • Where possible, are you encouraged to develop new skills to help you undertake new and challenging pieces of work?; 
  • We encourage you to develop your skills; 
  • You have a say over when breaks can be taken; and 
  • You are consulted over your work patterns. 

IMPORTANT

Download the Individual Stress Assessment here.

Download the Individual Stress Assessment (Schools) here.

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