Step-By-Step Procedure and Tools to Reduce Work-Related Stress

Abstract

Based on available guidelines, protocol, etc., of the EU countries as well as evaluated results of the taken measures, step-by-step procedures are proposed as well as the tools of occupational medicine specialist for the identification of stressors and measures that should be taken to reduce stress at work. European Pact for Mental Health and Well-Being has focused its commitment on workplaces and a necessity to promote work settings, to create the atmosphere for mental health promotion emphasizing reconciliation between work and family life, to introduce a program for stress prevention at work and health promotion in the workplace and to support employment, rehabilitation and return to work of the workers with mental health issues and disorders. Any risk assessment at work, especially of psychosocial risks, requires support of employers and active participation of workers. For that reason, "fight against stress" should become a company's policy. A number of procedures that follow are presented by diagrams that lead through methods of analysis and identification, from selection of measures for stressor reduction to the final evaluation. It is a cycle that ends by defining the term for a new analysis and assessment of psychosocial risks followed by the beginning of another cycle.