Is it possible to define workplace stress?

The study by the University of Nottingham was carried out on behalf of the Health and Safety Executive (HSE). The HSE would like to see a universal definition in order to help it monitor work-related stress and measure the effectiveness of any interventions.

The researchers also examined whether it was possible from a compensation or civil litigation perspective to develop a case definition that would help resolve legal disputes by seeking the views of experts, lawyers, unions, employers and insurers.

A "case definition", according to the researchers, would describe the "circumstances and individual characteristics that, in sum, constitute a 'case' of work-related stress at the level of the individual worker."

Stakeholder consensus

The HSE already has a definition of work-related stress, being "the reaction people have to excessive pressure or other types of demand placed on them", but this in itself does not help to identify actual cases of stress arising from work.

The report pointed out that while employers had a general duty to ensure the health, safety and welfare of workers, there was currently no legislation in place in the UK specifically to control work-related stress or control the risks to psychological health in the workplace.

"The introduction of specific work-related stress legislation would require a precise definition of a 'case' of stress and a caseness assessment schedule – both agreed by consensus across stakeholder groups," said the research report.

Overall there was little consensus among those questioned by the researchers as to whether there could ever be a case definition of work-related stress that would be acceptable to all.

This was particularly true in terms of civil litigation, where the courts had already demonstrated inconsistency when handling employers liability and personal injury cases.

Epidemiological model

From the point of view of developing a case that would help to both measure incidence of work-related stress and resolving legal disputes, the research concluded that "no simple and universal case definition is possible, largely because of the complex nature of work-related stress."

However, the development of a tool for measuring the incidence of work-related stress and the effectiveness of any measures to control work stress was a "priority" for the HSE, and the researchers felt that there was enough consensus to propose a model for use in epidemiological surveys.

This model is presented in the report and outlines a number of scenarios that would indicate a valid case of work-related stress. These included, for example, evidence of unreasonable exposure to psychosocial hazards associated with work and psychological ill health.

Other factors included ill health which affected work behaviour (absence) or which initiated a visit to a GP.

The in-depth research report can be downloaded from the Health and Safety Executive website - see link above/right.