Bosses should worry about stress

The majority of workers think their bosses should take some responsibility for improving well-being and reducing stress in the workplace, a survey reveals.

Fifty eight per cent of people thought employers should play a part in managing their staff's healthcare, the Standard Life 2003 Annual Consumer Attitudes to Healthcare Survey revealed.

Two-thirds of those questioned thought that employees' general well-being would be improved and 57 per cent thought that stress levels would reduce as a result of intervention by bosses.

The research came as the Health and Safety Executive launched a guide for managers on how to tackle work-related stress, entitled Real People, Real Solutions.

Chris Rowe, of the HSE, said the survey encouraged employers to take stress seriously.

"All employers have a duty to make sure that their employees' health is not put at risk from exposure to work-related stress," he said.

Stephen Bevan, of the think tank The Work Foundation, said: "Employers already have a legal duty of care over the psychological well-being of their staff yet virtually none are carrying out risk analysis or putting measures in place.

"This research highlights growing concern over mental ill-health in the workplace and its economic and human cost."

A total of 2,020 adults in the UK were questioned for the Taylor Nelson Sofres survey.

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