Guidance on work-related stress. Spice of life or kiss of death?

The guidance document provides general information on the causes, symptoms and consequences of work-related stress, both for workers and organisations. The focus is on primary prevention of work-related stress and ill-health, rather than on treatment. It also offers advice on how to identify work-related stress problems and their causes, and proposes a practical and flexible action framework that both social partners and individual companies can apply in their own situations. The focus is on primary prevention of work-related stress (addressing underlying causes), rather than treating symptoms.

The content of the guide includes:

• the background of work-related stress: the extend of stress, work-related stressors, causes of stress, health aspects);
• the challenges: responsibilities and actions of the employer; and
• measures for the prevention of work-related stress: risk assessment tools, primary prevention for individuals, instruction and training.

Publication details

• Published by: EU Commission
• Publication date: 2000
• Number of pages: 120 pp.