Stress tops reasons employers seek advice

Work-related stress is the most common reason that leads employers to seek occupational health advice, an analysis of Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) statistics by Legal & General has shown. An analysis of reasons for calling the government's pilot Occupational Health Advice Lines found that stress was the most common condition prompting enquiry.

The findings complement recent DWP research which found that only 17% of employers have any form of stress management advice and support in place. Reacting to the findings, Diane Buckley, MD of Legal & General Group Protection, said: "Stress is one of the leading causes of long-term absence so it is important employers seek advice in handling stress-related absence. Group Protection products can offer advisory services to clients to help them manage stress-related illness more effectively.

Legal & General offers an early notification programme, Workplace Recovery, which uses its partnership arrangement with CBT Services to help get people back to work."