Occupational Health Service

Stress

Guidance and advice for managers with staff who are experiencing stress.

Stress is the reaction people have to excessive pressure or other types of demand placed upon them which are not matched by their ability to cope.

It is both a physiological and psychological reaction which occurs when people perceive an imbalance between the combined levels of demand placed upon them, both at home and/or at work, and their capacity to meet those demands.

Stress can be positive and motivating in the short term, helping to achieve success. Prolonged stress, however, can lead to ill health.