Surge in work-related stress

13 April 2012

THREE in every five workers suffers from stress at work, according to a survey released today by the TUC.

The number of workers suffering from stress is increasing, with 58% now complaining of being stressed at work.

The survey shows the main causes include increased workloads, staff cuts, long hours and bullying.

The figures are up 2% on a similar 2002 survey and union bosses are urging employers to do more to tackle what is regarded as a silent killer.

'The fact that people are more stressed than ever before is bad news for workers and bad news for business,' said Brendan Barber, TUC general secretary.

'We know that long hours and dense workloads are stressful.

'We know that workers want a better work/life balance, yet some employers insist on trying to squeeze every last drop of sweat out of their workforce.

'A stressed employee is not a productive employee.

He warned companies that failing to replace workers was ultimately bad for productivity.

He added: 'Unless bosses start to seriously tackle stress and the causes of stress, then they will continue to lose many days every year to workers off sick and many hours of productivity from their demoralised workforce.'

The fifth biennial TUC survey of safety representatives also shows that stress levels vary in workplaces of different sizes and between the public and private sector.

The bigger the workforce, the greater the levels of stress.

The overall figure of 58% of workers complaining of stress at work rose to 63% in businesses with more than 1,000 employees.

Stress at work costs the UK economy £7bn each year through sick pay, lost production and NHS costs and accounts for 6.5m lost working days.

Stress is greater in the public sector. Nearly two-thirds (64%) of public sector workers complained of stress at work, compared to fewer than half (48%) in the private sector.

The findings have been released ahead of Stress Awareness Day tomorrow.

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