Half of sick days are due to stress

More than half the days employees take off work are due to stress, mostly in the workplace, while fear of losing a job has increased the levels.

Stressful working conditions caused by a range of factors that can include bullying and poor management are costing companies dearly.

In a bid to counter both the human and financial consequences of stress, the EU’s Agency for Safety and Health at Work is organising a campaign across the 28 member states.

It says stress is the second most frequently reported work-related health problem, but that its latest study shows companies that manage it best are more profitable in the medium-to long-term.

Christa Sedlatschek, a director at the agency, said: “Investment in health and safety pays off.”

Under an EU directive, employers must evaluate all risks and take measures to help workers.

More people are suffering from stress than a decade ago, and while the latest survey shows that close to 80% of managers are aware and worry about stress at work, just 30% of companies are managing stress properly.

“There is a gap between knowledge and information — we raised awareness in our last campaign and now over the next two years, we will focus on getting people to identify and use the proper tools to manage stress,” Ms Sedlatschek said.

Some 51% of workers say stress is common in their workplace; 40% say it is not handled well by their company. Up to 60% of working hours lost through absenteeism are due to work-related stress but fewer than 30% of organisations have procedure to deal with it.

Social Affairs Commissioner Laszlo Andor said the incentives for employers to better manage stress ranged from improving work performance and productivity to lowering staff turnover and costs.

Governments should also be aware that a good working environment allows employees to work longer and retire in better health, putting less pressure on health and pension systems.

A European Good Practice Award will be launched next week while, in June, the EU will produce a paper on health and safety at work. At the end of the year, it will reveal an e-tool to help workers, managers, and companies find the right way to manage workplace stress.