The report, published by the Health and Safety Executive, sets six guidelines - ranging from job demands on individuals to curbing office bullies - guidelines which could make it easier for workers to sue their bosses. Andrew Veitch explains.
When Mo Mowlem was in government, she worked out her anger on a dartboard in her office cupboard. Maureen Lipman finds painting ties a calming experience. The rest of us, it seems, take a sickie - 13.4 million of them last year, according to the Health and Safety Executive, and that costs the country about £7 billion.
Which is why, after years of research into stress at work, the Health and Safety Executive has drawn up a set of standards aimed at stopping behaviour that makes people ill, and helping those who are ill to get back to work.
Elizabeth Gingell - Health And Safety Executive:
"Employees, staff, the unions, anybody will be able to look at things and see whether or not they're measuring up to that yardstick. If they're not, then they will be able to discuss with their employers how to get these matters sorted out, and see what things need to be done."
But lawyers say the standards may also make it easier for workers to sue their bosses.
Brian Palmer - Charles Russell Solicitors:
"If there are guidelines in place that are acceptable generally as being good practice, and employers fail to accord with good practice, then employees will probably find it easier to bring claims against employers."
Under the Health and Safety Executive standards, companies might be open to legal action if they failed to meet these six tests.
The demands of the job should be achievable and matched to skills and abilities: 85 percent of staff should be able to say they can cope.
And 85 percent should feel able to get support from colleagues and superiors if they can't cope.
85 percent should feel they have a measure of control - that they have a say in how they do their work.
Roles and responsibilities should be clear: 65 percent should understand how their job fits into the company's objectives.
And 65 percent should be confident they'll be consulted on proposed changes
Finally relationships: at least 65 percent of staff should indicate they're not subject to unacceptable behaviour - especially bullying.
Brian Palmer - Charles Russell Solicitors:
"A lot of employers will shy away from the fact that there will be further regulation that they have to adhere to, and employees will look at it and say if there are greater possibilities for claims, then so much the better. You shouldn't forget that employees and employers working together can work on reducing the stress on employees, and absenteeism, and increasing productivity. It can be a win win situation."
The guidelines have been drawn up with the help of major companies like Sainsbury's and Lloyd's - the HSE hopes others will join the project to help refine the standards.
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