Personnel Today
  • OHW+
  • Resources
    • Clinical governance
    • Disability
    • Ergonomics
    • Health surveillance
    • OH employment law
    • OH service delivery
    • Research
    • Return to work and rehabilitation
    • Sickness absence management
    • Wellbeing and health promotion
  • Conditions
    • Mental health
    • Musculoskeletal disorders
    • Blood pressure
    • Cancer
    • Cardiac
    • Dementia
    • Diabetes
    • Respiratory
    • Stroke
  • CPD
  • Webinars
  • Jobs
  • Personnel Today

Register
Log in
Personnel Today
  • OHW+
  • Resources
    • Clinical governance
    • Disability
    • Ergonomics
    • Health surveillance
    • OH employment law
    • OH service delivery
    • Research
    • Return to work and rehabilitation
    • Sickness absence management
    • Wellbeing and health promotion
  • Conditions
    • Mental health
    • Musculoskeletal disorders
    • Blood pressure
    • Cancer
    • Cardiac
    • Dementia
    • Diabetes
    • Respiratory
    • Stroke
  • CPD
  • Webinars
  • Jobs
  • Personnel Today

StressLatest NewsEconomics, government & businessLabour marketWellbeing

Economic conditions affecting workplace stress, says research

by Personnel Today 30 May 2012
by Personnel Today 30 May 2012

The stresses of the economic downturn and job and pay insecurity are creating a growing climate of “desk rage”, according to health insurer PruHealth and wellness programme provider Vitality.

The survey found that 7.3% of workers polled have witnessed a physical assault in the workplace and that nearly 3% admitted to having been physically aggressive to a colleague themselves.

More than one in three believe that in­cidents of desk rage have worsened since the start of the recession.

Just as worrying, the poll has argued that at least one British worker in four is displaying symptoms of depression, stress and anxiety, including:




  • feeling worried or anxious (47%);
  • being irritable or angry (46%);
  • disturbed sleep (33%);
  • lack of energy and feeling tired or lethargic (32%);
  • feeling hopeless or helpless (27%);
  • not feeling good about themselves (27%);
  • lack of motivation and sense of purpose (27%);
  • increased tendency to think negatively (26%); and
  • feeling down for more days than most (23%).

    Dr Dawn Richards, PruHealth head of clinical services, said: “Early intervention and putting the right coping mechanisms in place are very important to nip symptoms in the bud, which is why awareness among individuals and employers alike is critical.”

    A separate study has calculated that employees who cannot get comfortable at their desks could be costing their employer, on average, £3,279 per person per year in lost revenue through time off sick and reduced productivity, or the equivalent of £52 billion per year to the UK economy.

    Seven out of 10 of the 1,000 employees polled reported spending an average of 51 minutes per day re-arranging their workspace and fidgeting to get comfortable.

    A similar proportion complained of having suffered from ailments during the past three years as a direct result of using computers for work.

    Sign up to our weekly round-up of HR news and guidance

    Receive the Personnel Today Direct e-newsletter every Wednesday

    OptOut
    This field is for validation purposes and should be left unchanged.

    Employees reported suffering from: headaches (32%); tense shoulders (29%); neck ache (28%); eye problems (27%); and sore wrists and arms (25%), all of which affected their ability to work productively.

    The research was commissioned by Fellowes, a company that manufactures and sells office equipment.

    Personnel Today

    previous post
    Olympic construction project praised for safety measures
    next post
    Professions must be open to all backgrounds, says government adviser

    You may also like

    Fire and rehire: the relocation question

    22 May 2025

    Public sector workers gain pay rises of up...

    22 May 2025

    UK net migration slashed by half in one...

    22 May 2025

    How neuroscience can unlock employee recognition

    22 May 2025

    UK universities fret over fall in international students

    22 May 2025

    HSBC employees warned of office attendance link to...

    22 May 2025

    The Law Society: Navigating the new world of...

    22 May 2025

    Workplace stress: Why it’s time to rebrand resilience

    22 May 2025

    Restaurant tips should be included in holiday pay

    21 May 2025

    Fewer workers would comply with a return-to-office mandate

    21 May 2025

    • 2025 Employee Communications Report PROMOTED | HR and leadership...Read more
    • The Majority of Employees Have Their Eyes on Their Next Move PROMOTED | A staggering 65%...Read more
    • Prioritising performance management: Strategies for success (webinar) WEBINAR | In today’s fast-paced...Read more
    • Self-Leadership: The Key to Successful Organisations PROMOTED | Eletive is helping businesses...Read more
    • Retaining Female Talent: Four Ways to Reduce Workplace Drop Out PROMOTED | International Women’s Day...Read more

    PERSONNEL TODAY

    About us
    Contact us
    Browse all HR topics
    Email newsletters
    Content feeds
    Cookies policy
    Privacy policy
    Terms and conditions

    JOBS

    Personnel Today Jobs
    Post a job
    Why advertise with us?

    EVENTS & PRODUCTS

    The Personnel Today Awards
    The RAD Awards
    Employee Benefits
    Forum for Expatriate Management
    OHW+
    Whatmedia

    ADVERTISING & PR

    Advertising opportunities
    Features list 2025

    • Facebook
    • Twitter
    • Instagram
    • Linkedin


    © 2011 - 2025 DVV Media International Ltd

    Personnel Today
    • OHW+
    • Resources
      • Clinical governance
      • Disability
      • Ergonomics
      • Health surveillance
      • OH employment law
      • OH service delivery
      • Research
      • Return to work and rehabilitation
      • Sickness absence management
      • Wellbeing and health promotion
    • Conditions
      • Mental health
      • Musculoskeletal disorders
      • Blood pressure
      • Cancer
      • Cardiac
      • Dementia
      • Diabetes
      • Respiratory
      • Stroke
    • CPD
    • Webinars
    • Jobs
    • Personnel Today