Posted By April Catherine Harvey I have just had a member of staff go off sick with WORK STRESS {this on her sick cert }. Is stress at work reportable under RIDDOR? All advice welcome please April

Posted By April Catherine Harvey Thanks April

Posted By Jonathan Sandler April, Sorry mis read the thread.

Posted By jaynee not reportable on riddor but i went on a stress training day last week which was really interesting. it may be appropriate to take a positive step by addressing her job role and look at ways the company can reduce her level of stress: hours, tasks, variety, work load, environment.

Posted By Helen Horton Although not RIDDOR reportable you might want to alert your Insurance Broker and/or EL insurer that you have someone off sick with stress in case there may be a claim. Forewarned is forearmed in terms of defending claims and they may be able to give you some help and advice.

Posted By Raymond Rapp April I believe I am correct in saying that stress or 'work related' stress is a recognised ill health, although until recently it was not. pyscho-social ill health caused through work is a complex phenomenon. I do not wish to be alarmist, but, I would strongly suggest that only those with an in depth knowledge of the stress factors should write up risk assessments because otherwise they can be legally challenged. Hence you could end up doing more harm than good in the long-term. Regards Ray

Posted By John McFeely Hi Catherine, I would strongly suggest that you check out the following link and do a little research: http://www.tuc.org.uk/h_and_s/index.cfm?mins=37 I would also suggest that you check out the HSEs Stress page, found at http://www.hse.gov.uk/stress/index.htm I would suggest that an apropriate stratagy for handling occupational stress includes: 1) Surveying staff on Work Related Stress 2) Using the results of the survey and any information from sickness records or return from sickness interviews, inspect the work place, working procedures, working relationships, machinery etc with the aim of identifying potential stressors and then complete a Stress Risk Asseessment with the full co-operation of all employees. 3) Then and only then can you design a working Policy. After this it is worth investing time and effort in educating the workforce and review the Risk Assessment and Policy at least annually