Financial strains - Employees are sick with worry

It may not surprise anyone who has experienced the cold wind of Ireland’s austerity regime that 91% of employees are stressed over the state of their finances and worry constantly about how to get by.

But what might be less well-known is that the psychological ailments associated with trying to make ends meet are costing Irish businesses a staggering €2.1bn every year.

A study published today shows that absenteeism by financially stressed employees costs business €850,000 a day and 78% of managers feel financial stress costs them productivity.