Research commissioned by the Health & Safety Executive has indicated that:

• about half a million people in the UK experience work-related stress at a level they believe is making them ill;
• up to 5 million people in the UK feel "very" or "extremely" stressed by their work; and
• work-related stress costs society about £3.7 billion every year (at 1995/6 prices).

The key messages on stress are:

• Work-related stress is a serious problem. Tackling it effectively can result in significant benefits for organisations.
• There are practical things organisations can do to prevent and control work-related stress.
• The law requires organisations to take action.