Workers are suffering from more stress and worries compared to this time last year, according to new research.
A study of 2,000 employees by training provider LearnHR found that 49% said they were feeling more anxious than last year, largely down to the impact the financial crisis has had on the UK economy.
More than a third (38%) felt insecure in their jobs, and a fifth (20%) were expecting to be off sick at some point in 2009 due to stress-related illness.
Some 29% of respondents admitted to having already seen their levels of productivity and efficiency drop.
Christine Tebbutt, education director at LearnHR, said: “These are worrying times for companies and their staff up and down the country, but increased stress levels only add to the problem.
“Now more than ever, we need a workforce which is operating to its full potential, and it is vital that businesses recognise the role that HR and personnel departments play in rebuilding confidence and maintaining a productive workforce.”
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Tebbutt encouraged employers to invest time, resources and training in their HR teams and line managers to ensure they dealt with stress at an early stage.
36% of UK workers are worried about paying their mortgage or rent
Nearly half (49%) of all workers questioned don’t feel they have a good work-life balance
Workers in the West Midlands (57%) and London (52%) are experiencing the highest stress levels of the past 12 months
Staff in Yorkshire and Humberside feel most secure in their jobs (50%), whereas workers in the West Midlands (43%) and London (40%) feel the least secure.
