Stress Is The Top Health Worry For Business

Managing stress and looking after mental health are the top health risk to companies, claim many employers.

Around 21 % of those asked agreed stress was an issue in their workforce.

And 31 % of employers said dealing stress and mental ill-health was their most important priority next year.

Reflecting the difficult times we are in, employer commitment to improve workforce welfare is up 5 % in the past 12 months.

The statistics were revealed by research from Group Risk Development, the trade body for the UK group risk industry.

Spokeswoman Katherine Moxham said: “Stress is regularly overlooked as a health problem by companies,  but these figures show just how much a stressed workforce can affect a business.

Coping with stress

“And in these hard times it’s important for employers to consider the wellbeing of their employees.

“It’s also an opportunity for employers everywhere to deal with stress at work before it becomes a more serious condition.”

She explained good companies needed to put in place the necessary coping mechanisms should they need to cover for a long-term absence.

And pointed out that firms should consider the wider implications of having high levels of stress among its workforce and the subsequent affect they will have on business performance.

Around 34 % of employers said they use flexible working to deal with stress, while 35 % a good work/life balance was crucial to dealing with the problem.

Many employers also try to identify stress earlier and personal support, as well as financial help for staff and their families if illness or injury stops them working.

Job security concerns

The survey also revealed that close behind stress as a health risk were family concerns on 20 %, and in third place was maintaining the good work life balance at 19 %.

The firm’s findings are backed up by another study from financial services firm, Friends Life.

Their study revealed that 48 % of respondents had suffered from stress since the start of the global financial crisis.

And that the economic situation was causing 49 % of people to be stressed about their job security.

David Williams, from Friends Life, said: “The study gives an intriguing insight into stress, including that 67 % of 18-24 years olds had called in sick to work because of stress in the past year alone.

“It’s also extremely worrying that such a large number of young people have started their working life under strain and this is something which needs to be carefully monitored.”