Essential points

  • Employers have a legal duty to protect the health, safety and welfare of their employees and other people who might be affected by their work activities.
  • Employers must do whatever is reasonably practical to achieve this protection.  
  • Employees have responsibility for their own health, safety and wellbeing.  
  • Organisations must carry out risk assessments to identify potential hazards at work. This includes carrying out an assessment of work-related stress.   
  • High turnover, increased sickness absence and decreased performance can be signs of stress. Employers should take action to prevent such stress.  

CIPD member content

This content is only available for CIPD members

Disclaimer 

Please note: While every care has been taken in compiling this content, CIPD cannot be held responsible for any errors or omissions. These notes are not intended to be a substitute for specific legal advice. 

Employment
law advice

Want more employment law advice? Members can phone the CIPD legal helpline or take out a discounted subscription to HR-inform for additional resources.

Callout Image

Related content on wellbeing

Reports
CIPD Good Work Index

The CIPD Good Work Index provides an annual snapshot of job quality in the UK, giving insight to drive improvement to working lives

Factsheets
Stress in the workplace

Learn how to identify the signs of stress and address stress at work

For Members
Factsheets
Wellbeing at work

Understand the links between work, health and wellbeing, and the role of stakeholders in adopting an organisational approach to employee wellbeing

For Members
Factsheets
Mental health in the workplace

Explores mental health issues in the workplace focusing on supporting employees’ mental health

For Members
Employment law

Access more employment law resources

Employment law
Maternity, paternity, shared parental and adoption leave and pay: UK employment law

Explore our collection of resources around maternity and parental rights, including Q&As on shared parental leave and adoption law and relevant case law

For Members
Employment law
Menopause: UK employment law

UK legal position on menopause and perimenopause in the workplace

For Members
Employment law
Whistleblowing: UK employment law

Explore our collection of resources around legal issues relating to whistleblowing in the workplace

For Members