IOSH Calls For Action On Stress

Following the publication this week of a study revealing that depression and stress together are the second largest cause of people taking time off sick, the Institution of Occupational Safety and Health (IOSH) calls for a major government and employer initiative to help tackle workplace stress.

The report by the Chartered Institute of Personnel Development (CIPD), based on research of 30,000 workers, showed that people suffering from depression took an average 30 days a year off, while stress victims were away for 21 days.

Lisa Fowlie, the President of IOSH, said that too many employers still did not understand the benefits they can gain from preventing workplace stress, and the price that their staff pay if they fail to do so: “Minor adjustments are often enough. Ensuring staff have a sympathetic ear, allowing more flexible working hours and adopting family friendly policies helps everyone, especially parents and those with care responsibilities.”

IOSH point out the benefits for organisations which tackle stress, including:

• reduced sickness absence costs
• improved staff performance and productivity
• reduced staff turnover
• increased customer satisfaction
• enhanced organisation reputation.

IOSH is also calling for a major government occupational health initiative to help tackle stress and other workplace health issues. Latest figures from the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) show that 12.8 million working days were lost to stress in one year. Work-related stress accounts for one third of all new cases of occupational ill-health.

Lisa added: “Simple initiatives such as tax incentives for employers to offer proven therapies, will help rehabilitate people back into the workplace, improving their quality of life, as well as boosting the economy.”