Workplace stress 'has bigger health implications'

7th May 2010

Employees encountering stress in the workplace are at an increased risk of experiencing further health conditions, such as anxiety disorders and depressive illnesses.

This is according to Stephen Bevan, the managing director of the Work Foundation, who made this observation in response to a study conducted by Aviva revealing that British businesses are facing a stress epidemic.

It was found that nearly half of all workers admitted to being stressed, while one in five were living with depression.

In addition, it was seen that Britons are working harder, with 55 per cent going to work even when they are ill.

Mr Bevan recommended that businesses establish an employee assistance programme, complete with a helpline, with barrier-free training offered to managers to identify early warning signs.

"It is important that [staff] do not bottle it up and find somebody ... they can talk to about how they feel and what is at the root of their problem," he remarked.

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