The European Agency for Safety and Health at Work has launched the biggest ever drive to tackle work-related stress in Europe - a problem that affects 28 percent of employees in the European Union.

Recent research has estimated that up to 40 million workers in the EU suffer from this problem.

To support its campaign, the agency has launched a "chill out" package of tools to help organizations, employees and occupational safety and health specialists identify and address the causes of work-related stress:

  • A stress-busting guide for businesses provides practical guidance on how firms can reduce stress, including factors such as workplace violence and bullying. Case studies illustrate how different companies have tackled stress in a variety of sectors, from retail and manufacturing to public services, such as the police.

  • A fact sheet (no. 32) provides an overview of the report.

  • A checklist to diagnose and deal with stress (fact sheet no. 31) uses a series of simple questions to help workers pinpoint the root causes of any work-related stress and address them. This includes suggestions on how to work with employers, unions and other groups to develop solutions.

  • A dedicated Web site (http://osha.eu.int/ew2002/) is designed as Europe's premier work-related stress portal, containing advice on how to reduce stress, research, insights by sector, downloadable reports and fact sheets, and links to related specialists sites.

    The agency will announce in November the winners of its European Good Practice Awards for organizations that have most successfully tackled work-related stress and some its key triggers.