Warning over work stress ‘time-bomb’

Work-related anxiety levels are on the rise, according to new research. Specialists4Protection.co.uk, a new life and protection advisory firm, has reavealed 46% of employees feel more stressed at work than they did a year ago, compared to 12% who are less stressed.

Just under one in five employees (17%) feel their work anxiety levels are much higher than they were 12 months ago.

And 16% of people in work claim to have taken medical advice to help them cope with this stress, with 13% on medication partly because of this.

The impact of this is not just felt at work.

More than half of those suffering from work-related stress say it has adversely affected their sleep and nearly a fifth claim it has contributed towards a decline in their relationship with their partner.

Four out of 10 say the issue means they are not eating properly and 42% are doing less exercise. Paul Litster, managing director of Specialists4Protection.co.uk, said: “Our findings are very concerning.

“It’s not only the individuals who are suffering here but also their employers and the wider nation as a whole, as the pressure on our NHS and health services increases.

“In the first nine months of 2016, 45% of those people who feel more stressed at work than they did a year ago have taken at least two extra days off work sick because of this.

“Employee stress and sickness is already at crisis levels and as the problem gets worse, it’s a ticking timebomb.”

In terms of why people are feeling more stressed at work, the main reason mentioned in the research is that they have been asked to do more under their current role.

This is followed by 26% who said it’s because of greater financial strain and another quarter who say their line manager is not functioning properly.

Research has shown more people are feeling stressed at work.