The Scottish Centre for Healthy Working Lives (SCHWL) is set to launch a new online tool tomorrow in a bid to address stress in the workplace.

Launched to coincide with National Stress Awareness Day on 5th November, the free online resource is aimed at helping employers identify issues that may contribute to stress and helping promote a more positive culture in the workplace.

Nina Torbett,  SCHWL development manager for health promotion, explained: “Work Positive is a five step risk management process which aims to identify the causes of work-related stress and prevent individuals from becoming ill as a result of prolonged stress. 

“By participating in this process, employers will be able to pin-point specific stressors in their organisation and therefore be able to deliver interventions which prevent individuals from becoming ill as a result of prolonged stress.

“Although stress in itself is not an illness, if people are under excessive pressure or suffer stress-related symptoms for a long period, this can lead to physical or mental ill health such as depression and heart disease.”

An estimated one in four workers will experience depression, anxiety or stress-related problems during their lifetime, SCHWL warns.

Welcoming the new resource, Ashley Salandy from the Health and Safety Executive said it would be "an important tool" in identifying potential risks to mental health of employees.

"Pressure is part and parcel of all work and can help to keep us motivated. But when this pressure becomes excessive, it can lead to stress, which undermines performance, is costly to employers and can make people ill.

“Employers have a duty under health and safety legislation to assess the risks to their employees' health and safety, including their mental health. Their risk assessment must include five key elements: gathering information; promoting active discussion; working in partnership with employees; agreeing and sharing an action plan with staff and their representatives; and regular reviews to ensure continuous improvement."

SCHWL currently offers a range of services to help organisations and their employees produce healthier and more productive workplaces.