Stress Awareness Week 2025: Workplace Stress Management Tips, Legal Duties & HR Guidance | Consensus HR
Stress Awareness Week 2025 (3 – 7 November)
Welcome to this week’s update from Consensus HR, where we’re focusing on Stress Awareness Week 2025.
By working with our Health & Safety provider, we’re highlighting how businesses can take proactive steps to manage stress in the workplace — ensuring compliance and promoting wellbeing.
Stress is a health and safety risk – and it’s the law to act
As Stress Awareness Week 2025 gets underway, the HSE Working Minds campaign can help you take action.
Employers are reminded that work-related stress is a legal health and safety issue under:
- The Health and Safety at Work etc. Act 1974
- The Management of Health and Safety at Work Regulations 1999
In 2023/24, 776,000 workers reported suffering from work-related stress, depression or anxiety — nearly half of all self-reported work-related ill health — contributing to 16.4 million working days lost.
What to do this week
Use Stress Awareness Week to take action:
- Review your stress risk assessment – make sure it is up to date.
- Use HSE’s Talking Toolkits to start open conversations.
- Encourage learning – signpost the free Working Minds online learning modules for managers.
- Look out for early signs like absence, low morale or conflict.
- Make it routine – treat stress prevention like any other safety issue.
Taking simple, reasonable steps can help you stay compliant and build a healthier, more resilient workforce. Mental health is a health and safety issue – and must be treated as such.
– Matthew Chilcott – FCIPD, ACEL
Vehicle and transport safety at work
Being struck by a vehicle continues to be one of the main causes of fatal and major injuries in the workplace. Figures for 2024 to 2025 show that 14 workers were killed that year when struck by a moving vehicle.
Our recent workplace transport press release outlines common patterns behind reversing vehicle deaths and how to prevent them.
Visit the workplace transport section of the HSE website for guidance, advice, and resources to help reduce risks.
Download key publications:
- Workplace transport safety – an employer’s guide (INDG199)
- Workplace transport safety – an overview (HSG136)
A company was recently fined £2.5 million following the tragic death of a worker struck by a reversing skip wagon – a stark reminder of why these regulations matter.
Call for Evidence: Lifting Equipment and Pressure Systems Regulations
HSE has launched a Call for Evidence (CfE) to review both:
- Lifting Operations and Lifting Equipment Regulations (LOLER)
- Pressure Systems Safety Regulations (PSSR)
Part of HSE’s Regulation Action Plan (RAP), the aim is to gather evidence to simplify and streamline regulatory processes. Industry stakeholders and professional bodies are invited to participate:
Closing date for comments: 11 November 2025.
Face Fit Testing: Clarification on the Use of Extended Ports
Following the publication of Research Report (RR1222) on 24 March 2025 – Face Fit Testing of FFP3 Respirators: The Impact of Sampling Port Location – HSE has clarified that while an extended port can be used, it is not a requirement. A flush port remains acceptable.
Refer to INDG479 – Guidance on RPE Fit Testing for details on testing methods. Fit testing must be carried out by a competent person, and competence can be demonstrated through the Fit2Fit RPE Fit Test Providers Accreditation Scheme.
Accident and Near-Miss Tool Webinar
Date: 13 November 2025
Time: 11:00am – 12:00pm
Join this free webinar where HSE’s publishing partner, TSO, unveils the new Accident and Near-Miss Tool, designed to streamline incident reporting and support RIDDOR compliance.
Register for the ‘Driving Culture Change with HSE’s Tools’ webinar
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