Union labels workplace stress an 'epidemic'

Last week, HSM reported on the latest HSE workplace injury, fatality and absence figures, which revealed that 30.7 million working days lost due to work-related illness and workplace injury. TUC general secretary Frances O’Grady has called for focus on the number of these days that are caused by work-related stress. He said: “Work-related stress is a growing epidemic. It’s time employers and the government took it more seriously.

“Warm words are not going to fix this problem. Managers need to do far more to reduce the causes of stress and support employees struggling to cope.

“This means tackling issues like excessive workloads and bullying in the office. Toxic workplaces are bad for staff and productivity.

“My advice to anyone suffering from stress, anxiety and depression at work is to join a union. This is the best way to get your concerns heard.”