New research has revealed that a concerning proportion of the UK workforce are having to turn to medicine to combat workplace pressures.
The data, from Specialists4Protection, found that 46% of employees feel more stressed at work than they did a year go. On top of this, a staggering 17% of employees claim their workplace stress levels are “much higher” than they were 12 months ago.
Amongst these stressed employees, almost one in six have taken medical advice as a result of stressful work. Almost one in ten (13%) are taking medication, partly as a result of employment pressures.
Speaking about the results, Paul Litster, Managing Director at 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. “Employee stress and sickness is already at crisis levels and, as the problem gets worse, it’s a ticking time-bomb.”
The most regularly cited reasons behind the worrying rise in workplace stress include: being asked to do more under a current role; the organisation, as a whole, being under financial strain; line managers are not doing their job; they are working much longer hours. This has resulted in extra sick days being taken. 45% of employees who feel more stressed at work have taken at least two extra days off work sick as a result.
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Link to full HR Grapevine article on this issue: https://www.hrgrapevine.com/content/article/news-2017-04-04-shocking-levels-of-workplace-stress-as-some-employees-turn-to-meds-survey-finds