Workers experience stress when they feel unable to manage pressures and challenges. The Health and Safety Executive (HSE) defines stress as “the adverse reaction people have to excessive pressures or other types of demand placed on them.”

Stress impacts individuals differently—what may be stressful for one person might not affect another. Factors such as skills, experience, age, or disability can influence how a person copes with stress. While stress itself is not considered an illness, it can lead to health problems. It can produce both physical and mental symptoms that affect a person’s well-being. By recognising the signs of stress, employers can take proactive steps to reduce, prevent, and manage stress in the workplace.