Stress absence crisis for women

Women are nearly three times more likely to take stress-related absence than men, according to new research.

Analysis by Legal & General using Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) statistics has shown that 74% of stress-related absences were made by women, with only 26% of absences being taken by men.

Absence data from October to December 2010 showed that 31,000 women took sick days citing stress, depression or anxiety, compared to 11,000 men.

The research follows the release of the DWP Survey, ‘Health and well-being at work: a survey of employers' which revealed that only 17% of employers have any form of stress management advice and support in place for their employees.

The Chartered Institute of Personnel and Development (CIPD) absence management annual survey report also highlighted that stress is the second biggest cause of short term absences and one of the leading causes of all long-term absences for non-manual workers.

Diane Buckley, managing director of Legal & General Group Protection, said: "Stress is one of the leading causes of long-term absence so employers should ensure that good quality support is available in the workplace to help women before they reach this point."

The provider added that over 76% of scheme members absent with stress who were offered cognitive behavioural therapy were able to return to work within 18 months of diagnosis.