The International Stress Management Association (ISMA) and Royal Sun Alliance have commissioned research revealing that 53% of people are suffering stress at work.
The research found stress levels are continuing to rise in the workforce. One in two workers said they experienced stress in the last 12 months, with one in four needing time off work. The most common cause of stress with almost 75% citing this as the main reason was too much work. Other reasons include deadline pressures, an unsupportive work environment and problems with maintaining an acceptable work/life balance.
Over half of those stressed felt their health and productivity was damaged. Almost half said that their social life was affected and 38% reported troubles with partners as a result of stress. One in five sufferers consult professional help, and two out of three expect the situation to remain the same or deteriorate.
Commenting on the survey, Carole Spiers, chair of ISMA said: 'Earlier in the year the Government's Health and Safety Executive published its guidance for companies on the need to tackle workplace stress, these latest figures confirm how important it is for organisations to act on these.'
However, employers can reduce the impact of stress in the workplace by implementing an income protection policy with an insurer able to assist in the rehabilitation of a stressed employee.
Linda McCormack, consumer spokesperson for Royal & SunAlliance, said: 'The removal of stress is at the heart of our business and the service we provide is all about taking the stress out of everyday situations. With counselling and advice lines, we can provide a sympathetic ear to complement products that protect people.'
The ISMA's president and deputy vice chancellor of UMIST, Professor Cary Cooper, was alarmed by the results. He said: 'Now we are going through an economic downturn, UK companies cannot afford poor productivity. Managing people effectively is fundamentally more important than introducing new technology. Employers are always saying people are their most valuable resource and it is time they stopped talking and did something about it.'
