This week (3-7 November) is Stress Awareness Week 2025, a campaign run by the International Stress Management Association that seeks to highlight the ongoing challenge of work-related stress and to encourage employers to take proactive steps to protect the wellbeing of the workforce.
Work-related stress: a persistent challenge
Stress continues to be one of the leading causes of ill health in the workplace. In 2023/24, 776,000 workers reported experiencing work-related stress, depression, or anxiety – which accounted for almost half of all self-reported work-related ill health and led to an estimated 16.4 million working days lost. These figures underline the need for employers to take work-related stress seriously and to actively manage it, both for the health of employees and the productivity of the business.
Legal requirements: stress risk assessments
Many employers may not realise that managing work-related stress is not optional – it’s a legal requirement. Under the Health and Safety at Work Act 1974 and the Management of Health and Safety at Work Regulations 1999, employers have a legal duty to assess and manage risks to their employees’ health and safety, including risks related to stress.
This responsibility involves not only responding when problems arise but also taking proactive steps to understand the pressures employees are facing and preventing harm before it occurs.
HSE Working Minds campaign: support and resources
To support employers in tackling work-related stress, HSE’s Working Minds campaign provides practical guidance. The campaign is built around five simple steps – the 5 Rs – to help you take meaningful action:
- Reach out – Start the conversation.
- Recognise – Spot the signs and causes of stress.
- Respond – Agree on actions and make changes.
- Reflect – Review what’s working and what isn’t.
- Make it Routine – Embed wellbeing into everyday practices.
One key resource within the campaign is the Stress Talking Toolkit, which helps employers hold structured conversations around the six key stressfactors: Demands, Control, Support, Relationships, Role, and Change.
What you can do for of Stress Awareness Week
For Stress Awareness Week 2025, we encourage you to take the following actions:
- Review your stress risk assessment – is it current and relevant to how your teams are working now?
- Use the Talking Toolkit – open up discussions around workload, pressures and support.
- Encourage learning – signpost the free Working Minds online learning modules for managers.
- Watch for early signs – like increased absence, reduced performance, or conflict – and act early.
- Normalise these conversations – treat them as part of your routine health and safety management.
Why managing stress matters
Effective stress management is key to reducing sickness absence, improving productivity, and retaining skilled staff. By taking reasonable steps to manage stress, you not only protect employee wellbeing but also help ensure the continued success and resilience of your business.
Share the message during Stress Awareness Week
- Share Working Minds posters and graphics with your teams
- Talk about stress at team meetings and one-to-ones
- Encourage others to try the free online learning
- Use the Stress Indicator Tool to gather anonymous team feedback
Click here for more on the HSE’s Stress Awareness Week campaign.