Stress is the single biggest occupational health reason given on sick notes, according to the Health and Safety Commission, with over 33 million days lost last year compared to 18 million in 1995. (FT 11/12/02).

It is a major problem in two-thirds of Southwest workplaces (TUC 7/1/03).

The Health and Safety Executive will make work related stress audits part of its routine inspections by the end of this year (Personnel Today Online 14/1/03)

You have a duty of care to your employees to take all reasonable steps to identify and reduce risks to their health and safety. If you do not, a stress related claim against you may be successful.

There are an estimated 3,000 cases currently in the pipeline. The average claim costs £5,000 but it's increasingly common to see damages of over £100,000 awarded. Once one claim has been made successfully, others often follow. In the aftermath of September 11th, Insurers are increasingly risk averse. Your Employer's Liability insurance premiums will dramatically increase and finding cover may be difficult.

But this is just the tip of the iceberg. Many of the real costs of stress are hidden. [NEXT]