GMB and TUC surveys reveal the extent of stress

Stress remains a huge issue which employers must tackle, a TUC survey of workplace safety reps has found.

Three-fifths (61%) of reps cited stress as a major hazard, with the figures even higher in central government (80%), banking (78%), the NHS (71%) and local government (64%).

Workplace Report has been given an insight into the realities of stress by a GMB safety rep at a local authority in the South West. By carrying out a survey on the issue, the rep discovered that over half of staff were suffering from poor sleep, recurrent headaches or anxiety as a result of their work. And more than three-quarters (78%) had suffered stress-related ill health because of work.

Regarding the causes of stress, over half (54%) had experienced a violent or traumatic incident at work, and 62% feared for their job security. Many expressed anger and frustration as a result of their work, and over half worked longer hours than they were paid for.

The GMB has presented the results to the authority's health and safety committee, and "will work with the employer to put in place measures to reduce stress at work". The rep told Workplace Report that the survey has proved to be a useful tool in focusing the attention of workers and management on the issue.