Recession adds to stress of workers who take more time off – Health News, Health – Independent.ie

WORK-related stress increases during a recession, leading to more employees taking time off, according to new research.

A study among tens of thousands of civil servants in Northern Ireland undertaken by researchers at the University of Nottingham and University of Ulster found that one in four workers experienced work-related stress in times of recession.

The study, published in the scientific journal, Occupational Medicine, revealed that work-related stress increased by 40pc during an economic downturn.

It also found that the number of staff taking time off due to job stress increased by 25pc and total time off due to these types of psychological problems increased by more than a third during a slump.

Jonathan Houdmont, the study’s lead author, said national economic crises can have substantial implications for workers’ health and organisational performance, adding: “The findings suggest that those businesses which seek to reduce work-related stress during austere economic times are likely to experience lower staff absence and greater productivity.”

via Recession adds to stress of workers who take more time off – Health News, Health – Independent.ie.