The Forum of Private Business (FPB) has welcomed a European Union framework agreement tackling stress in the workplace.

Stress leads to the loss of around 6.5 million working days each year in the UK, estimates the FPB. This costs business £3.7 billion a year.

The FPB took part in the stress framework agreement negotiations and its chief executive Nick Goulding said the agreement underlined the importance of small business representation in the dialogue.

"Stress is adequately covered by existing Health and Safety legislation in the UK,' he said. "For this reason we are pleased that it was agreed not to impose an EU directive on stress which would have meant additional rules and regulations for small business owners. What is needed is guidance and advice for businesses and their employees on how to combat stress, not more red tape."

He went on to say that the key to avoiding stress is to encourage better communication within the workplace between management and staff in small businesses.

"We very much look forward to helping to implement this framework,' he continued. "It is designed to raise awareness and understanding of workplace stress. With better communication between employers and employees we hope to work with businesses in the coming years to put procedures in place to reduce the cost of stress to UK companies."

(15/10/04)