Stress at Work: Individuals or Structures?

Abstract Stress is a significant practical problem in modern workplaces. According to the Health and Safety Executive (HSE), more than half of all working days lost ill health each year are attributed stress, depression or anxiety. This article offers an overview occupational psychology literature on workplace focussing job demands–resources JD-R model, developed by Demerouti et al., highlighting two important points: first, that stress at work not just about excessive ‘demands’ but also inadequate ‘resources’ cope with those demands; second, stress-related ill-health matter vulnerability part individual worker, way which organised. The then draws these insights offer critique safety law tort approach arguing both bodies overly focussed treating as vulnerability. It concludes drawing out some broader implications for areas employment less obviously related casual platform working.