Keep business healthy

Work can have a positive impact on our health and wellbeing, but many factors inside and out of the workplace can lead to stress. Underemployment can lead to boredom, apathy and loss of energy and motivation, but conversely, excessive stress can lead to fatigue, impaired judgement and decision-making, exhaustion, and even the onset of more serious health problems.

Figures from the Health & Safety Executive (HSE) indicate that work-related stress contributes to over a third of all new incidents of ill health, with a total of 13.8 million working days lost in 2006/07 due to stress.

Under the Management of Health and Safety at Work Regulations 1999, employers have a duty to assess the risk of stress-related ill health arising from work activities and take measures to control that risk.

Acas has launched a new guide to help businesses promote and manage a healthily workplace in order to reduce absenteeism.

Available online, “Health, work and wellbeing in the workplace” offers valuable, free advice.

For further information go to www.acas.org.uk  or visit www.hse.gov.uk/stress