Work stress hits people in and out of work

Work stress hits people in and out of work

The global economic downturn led levels of work-related stress in the UK to soar, a British Academy report has concluded. Author Tarani Chandola, a University of Manchester sociologist, says those who kept jobs during the recession are affected as much as those left jobless. Speaking at the launch of the report on 29 October, Professor Chandola said: 'Since 2009, there has been a sharp rise in job strain and job insecurity, both determinants of work-related stress. Conflict at work, in the form of poor support and bullying, has also increased, as has work-life balance as an issue.' He added that although the Health and Safety Executive's management standards for stress have been around for six years now, 'there has been little change in stress levels, or the scale of the problem'. He said that in each of the last two years, work stress levels rose by more than 4 per cent, compared to annual rises between 0.1 per cent and 1 per cent from 1992 to 2009. The report states that severe stress could trigger depression, anxiety, workplace injuries and suicide, and lead to a greater risk of heart disease. Professor Chandola compiled existing evidence from peer-reviewed journals and major UK surveys to obtain a comprehensive view of work-related stress. Brendan Barber, general secretary of the TUC, which released survey findings last week that identified stress as the top workplace health and safety concern (Risks 480), said the reason why a preventable problem like stress is not being prevented is because too many employers are consigning it to the 'too difficult' box. It isn't he said, adding: 'It's the same as any other hazard: risk assess. We can identify the likely stressors in the workplace, so deal with them.' Mr Barber concluded: 'We are facing a ticking timebomb that will potentially have devastating effects on us all. But it doesn't have to pan out like this - as Prof Chandola's report says, there is a need for specific legislation and enough people to enforce it.'

British Academy news release. Stress at work, British Academy Policy Centre report [pdf]. BBC News Online.