IT work unhealthy, says study

WORKING at a computer for hours is bad for your mental health, research shows. Up to five hours a day working on a computer increases the risk of depression.

The risk increases dramatically with every additional hour spent in front of the screen. Other studies show too much time at the computer can cause headaches, backache and eye strain.

The three-year Japanese study of 25,000 workers said bosses should limit the time staff spend on computers. A spokesperson for the Health and Safety Authority said employers had a duty to comply with health and safety legislation to protect the mental as well as the physical health of staff.