Stress 'making employees ill'
May 28 2009
A 'stress epidemic' could be the next threat British firms face, with a new study showing a growing level of pressure is affecting the UK workforce.
Research commissioned by Norwich Union looked at 200 practicing GPs, 200 businesses leaders and 1,000 full-time workers and discovered that almost half feel stressed, with one in five suffering from depression.
In addition, the study finds employees are ignoring their wellbeing because of their job, as 55 per cent work while ill, 48 per cent put in more hours and 37 per cent miss lunch breaks.
The health consequences of the extra pressure are also shown, with 46 per cent reporting insomnia, a third suffering migraines and 21 per cent having anxiety attacks or palpitations.
Dr Douglas Wright, head of clinical governance at Norwich Union Healthcare, says: 'This is an alarming diagnosis for the future economic health of the country's businesses and a very clear signal that employers and government must work together with the UK's workforce on occupational health.'
Recent research from the Chartered Institute of Personnel and Development claimed job satisfaction has increased since 2006, although there has also been a rise in work-related stress and office politics.
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