HSE enforcement on work stress targets university

The Health and Safety Executive (HSE) urgently intervened to protect staff at the University of Birmingham following a complaint from Birmingham University and College Union (BUCU).

The BUCU had submitted a number of concerns to the HSE in relation to unsafe workloads and inadequate stress management following the University’s refusal to address or mitigate cases of chronic work-related stress.

An investigation by the HSE found that the University was not following its Stress Management Policy, its Risk Assessments were not adequate, and the controls in place for managing working hours and covering work were ineffective.

The University must submit an action plan to the HSE by 28 January 2026 with all corrections to be applied by 30 September. The University will also have to pay a fee for the Fee for Intervention.

This notice is one of the first reported actions taken by HSE over failures to manage work-related stress, signalling that mental health is now being treated with the same seriousness as physical safety, setting a clear precedent for employers.