You Found a Stress Risk. What Next?

Identifying a risk should lead to action. Employers should first record what has been identified and consider what may be causing or contributing to the problem.

The next step is to decide what reasonable measures may reduce the risk. Actions should be clear, proportionate and linked to the issue identified. Someone should also be given responsibility for taking the action forward, with an appropriate timescale for completion.

It is equally important to follow up. Employers should check whether actions have been completed and whether they are actually helping to reduce the risk. If they are not working, further action may be needed.

Keeping a record of the risk, the decisions made, the actions taken and subsequent reviews helps create a clear and ongoing risk management process.