Firms missing stress in office design

17-07-2006

Workplace stress costs UK businesses around 3.7 billion a year, new research has revealed.

Despite the high cost, a survey of firms shows 69 per cent place tackling stress low on the agenda and 51 per cent have no measures in place to combat stress.

Suzanne Clarkson, of HSA, which was behind the survey, said: "Stress is not exactly a new phenomenon.

"But when you consider that over half a million people experience work-related stress at a level they believe has actually made them ill it would certainly make sense to acknowledge its potential effects."

She went on to say that it was "worrying" that 63 per cent of company healthcare decision makers stated they did not feel sufficiently familiar with best practice guidelines and did not have any measures in place to help manage stress.

"With this in mind, it might be advisable for companies to start weighing up the cost implications of failing to take a more proactive approach - in terms of not only potential stress-related litigation claims but, arguably more importantly, in terms of the general health and happiness of employees," Ms Clarkson added.

Office design can play a role in reducing stress in the workplace through making communication easier within a firm and creating areas where people can escape from work pressures.

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