In recent years the number of illnesses caused by mental stress has shown a continuous increase. Also increasing are the visible effects of excess stress in the work environment. Therefore it is necessary to establish a good balance of behavioural and preventive strategies for the workplace. It is considered to be the responsibility of works physicians to support both the employees and the enterprises in the development and application of concepts for the management of occupational stress. The professional skills of works physicians have to be adapted to ensure competence in handling these new challenges of occupational medicine.
