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To mark Mental Health Awareness Week, the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) launched a free online learning module to help employers better understand and manage work-related stress in their teams.

The new resource is part of HSE’s Working Minds campaign, which aims to help businesses take practical steps to improve workplace mental health and meet their legal obligations.

Why does this matter to your business?

According to HSE, around half of all work-related ill health is down to stress, depression or anxiety. That’s a significant figure, and one that many business owners are likely to recognise - whether it’s seen in staff absence, reduced productivity, or just a general drop in morale.

Importantly, managing stress at work isn’t simply good for your people - it’s also something the law expects employers to take seriously. As Kayleigh Roberts from HSE puts it: "Preventing work-related stress isn’t just the right thing to do for your workers - it’s also a legal requirement".

The new module offers guidance in conducting effective risk assessments, identifying the root causes of work-related stress and implementing solutions.

Six key areas 

The HSE has identified six main areas that can cause stress at work if they’re not managed well: demands, control, support, relationships, role, and change.

A simple framework: The 5Rs

The module also builds on the Working Minds campaign’s 5Rs, a straightforward approach to managing stress:

  • Reach out and have conversations
  • Recognise the signs and causes of stress
  • Respond to risks by agreeing on action points
  • Reflect on the actions taken
  • Make it routine to check in regularly

Next steps

If you’re an employer, especially in a small business where everyone wears multiple hats, this is a helpful, free tool that can make a real difference to how you support your team.

To access the online learning module, you can register here.

See: https://press.hse.gov.uk/2025/05/12/hse-provides-free-online-learning-to-help-employers-tackle-work-related-stress/

The information provided in this blog is for general informational purposes only and should not be considered professional advice. As far as we are aware, the content is accurate at time of publication. Torgersens assumes no responsibility for errors or omissions in the content or for any actions taken based on the information provided.

About the Author

Alison Henshaw Image

Alison Henshaw

Partner
 Alison joined Torgersens in 1996 and has been a partner with the firm since 2015. With broad experience in general practice, Alison is involved in the audits and accounts management of a range of clients including small and medium sized owner-managed companies, charities and not-for-profit organisations. Most recently, she has worked with a high-profile regional charity to develop its financial systems and reporting structures. Outside of work Alison likes spending time with her family enjoying walks along the North East coast line as well as regular visits to the Lake District, Northumberland and North Scotland.

To get in touch please e-mail alison.henshaw@torgersens.com.

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