IOSH seeks action on stress
June 1st 2007 Following the publication of
a study revealing that
depression and stress
together are the second
largest cause of people
taking time off sick, IOSH is
calling for a government and
employer initiative to help
tackle workplace stress.
The report by the
Chartered Institute of
Personnel Development,
based on research of 30 000
workers, showed that people
suffering from depression
took an average 30 days a
year off, while stress victims
were away for 21 days.
Lisa Fowlie, President of
IOSH believes too many
employers still do not
understand the benefits they
can gain from preventing
workplace stress, and the
price that their staff pay if
they fail to do so.
Lisa says "Minor
adjustments are often
enough. Ensuring staff have
a sympathetic ear, allowing
more flexible working hours
and adopting family-friendly
policies helps everyone,
especially parents and those
with care responsibilities."
IOSH is calling for a major
government occupational
health initiative to help
tackle stress and other
workplace health issues.
Latest figures from the
HSE show that 12.8 million
working days were lost to
stress in one year and work
related stress accounts for
one-third of all new cases of
occupational ill-health. More articles from IOSH: | 
