What it measures
The Indicator Tool measures the working conditions that cause stress, rather than how stressed people feel. Its 35 statements cover HSE's six Management Standards: demands, control, support from managers and colleagues, relationships, role, and change. Staff say how often each statement applies to them, and the results show which areas need attention first.
Who it’s for
It is designed for any employer, including schools and trusts, as part of a work-related stress risk assessment. Leaders run it anonymously across staff, then use the results alongside sickness absence, turnover and staff conversations to decide what to change. It looks at the organisation, not individuals, and is not a way to assess a single person's mental health.
SAMPLE QUESTION
How often are you able to choose how you do your own work?
Never · Seldom · Sometimes · Often · Always
Paraphrased example for illustration. The official questionnaire is free to download from the HSE website.
How it’s scored
Each statement is answered on a five-point scale from never to always (or strongly disagree to strongly agree), scored 1 to 5, with negatively worded items reversed so a higher score is always better. Scores are averaged for each standard. HSE's free analysis tool then compares your averages with benchmarks from other organisations and flags each area to show where you are doing well and where urgent action is needed. Treat the results as a starting point for conversations, not a final verdict.
Validation and source
HSE introduced the Management Standards in 2004 to help employers meet their legal duty to assess the risk of work-related stress. The Indicator Tool was developed alongside them and has been tested in published psychometric studies of UK workers, which support its seven-factor structure (demands, control, manager support, peer support, relationships, role and change). HSE publishes the questionnaire, a user manual and an Excel analysis tool free of charge, and asks that the wording, order and scoring are kept the same if you put the items into your own survey.
WHERE YOUHQ FITS
Validated scales measure. youHQ helps you act on what they show.
Staff wellbeing and pupil wellbeing are closely linked. The HSE survey shows where workload or support is putting pressure on staff. youHQ helps reduce that pressure on pastoral teams, turning pupil check-ins into clear reports in seconds, and supports staff with personal dashboards and training such as Mental Health First Aid. Use the HSE tool to find the pressure points, and youHQ to help lighten the load.
Frequently asked questions
Is the HSE Indicator Tool free?
Yes. HSE publishes the questionnaire, user manual and Excel analysis tool free of charge. HSE also offers a separate paid online version, which is free for organisations with up to 50 employees.
Do schools have to use the HSE Indicator Tool?
No. Employers must assess the risk of work-related stress, but using this specific tool is optional. Many schools use it because it is free, well established and maps directly onto HSE's Management Standards.
How often should we run the survey?
Many organisations run it once a year, so they can compare results over time. Act on the findings between surveys, and check progress through staff conversations and absence data.