Stress Biggest Single Problem In UK Workplaces

Stress Biggest Single Problem In UK Workplaces

Stress is still the biggest problem facing UK workplaces, with excessive workloads, job cuts and rapid change the most common triggers for rising stress levels amongst employees, according to new research published by the TUC 31st October.

The figures, released in advance of International Stress Awareness Day on 1st November, show that six out of ten union safety reps (61 per cent) questioned by the TUC for its 2006 biennial safety reps survey found stress to be their most pressing concern at work.

Two years ago when the TUC last carried out its survey, 58 per cent of reps cited stress as the number one hazard at work, whereas in 2002, this figure was just 56 per cent.

London is the most stressed out part of the UK (67 per cent of safety reps in the capital placed it top of their workplace hazards list), closely followed by the North West where 65 per cent said it was their biggest problem.

And stress seems to be more of an issue in larger workplaces.

In firms employing less than 50 staff, stress was the top concern for 58 per cent of safety reps, but in organisations with more than 1,000 employees, the figure rises to 67 per cent.

TUC General Secretary Brendan Barber said: 'Stress is a preventable problem and UK employers simply aren't doing enough to minimise its impact. People who suffer from stress aren't wimps, and their symptoms can make them really ill. Stressed out employees are more likely to experience weight loss, high blood pressure, depression and even heart attacks.

'With time taken off work because of stress costing UK businesses some £3.7 billion a year, it makes no sense for employers to be ignoring the problem. The Health and Safety Executive has made it easy for them and produced new management standards to help them tackle stress. Bosses should be doing all they can to make sure their workplaces become as stress-free as possible.'

When asked what were the factors most likely to lead to problems with stress at work, over three-quarters of the reps (76 per cent) said that excessive workloads were to blame. Other issues cited include cuts in staffing levels (57 per cent), rapid change (53 per cent), long hours working (34 per cent) and bullying (33 per cent).

HSE Stress Awareness Tools

Source: TUC News Release