The Health and Safety Commission (HSC) has launched a three-month consultation on the proposals to reduce stress in the workplace.
The proposals are based around a set of management standards that will enable employers to gauge stress levels, identify causes and work with employees to resolve any difficulties, said HSC chair Bill Callaghan.
But he stresses the management standards were not new regulations but were a guide for best practice for employers.
According to the HSC, work-related stress has overtaken musculoskeletal disorders as the biggest cause of sick days. Stress accounts for over 13 million days lost to UK industry a year, and costs approximately £3.7bn.
The HSC has called for the view of managers and employers on the proposals. A video explanation of the proposals is available via the Health and Safety Executive's website.
