Occupational stress definition

Conference notes that occupational stress and mental ill-health related to the work place is on
the increase and affects all FBU Members. Health and Safety Executive (HSE) fi gures show that
women have a statistically higher rate than men and occupational stress is more prevalent in
public service industries.

Currently, Fire and Rescue Services do not recognise occupational stress as an illness or injury
arising out of authorised duty, even though the condition has been diagnosed as work-related.
This has resulted in many of our Members feeling pressurised to return to work early due to
their pay being reduced.

Conference believes that diagnosed occupational stress should be included as an illness or
injury arising out of authorised duty.

We request that the Executive Council agree the defi nition with our employers in order to make
the defi nition clearer. This should be placed on the agenda for the next National Joint Council
(NJC) meeting and the result put in an NJC circular, with progress to be reported back to FBU
Conference in 2018, if not before.

DURHAM