According to recent research, a worryingly high number of British employees suffer from work related stress.

A recent study undertaken by Badenoch & Clark Employment shows that UK employees suffer greatly from work related stress. It revealed that 84% of British employees are stressed at work, yet only one in seven of these workers admit to being extremely stressed.

The study found that age was a significant contributing factor, with younger workers being a lot more stressed than their more experienced co-workers. Approximately 20% of 16-24 year old employees were either very or extremely stressed at work whilst only 10% of over 55s admitted to abnormal stress levels. These stress levels could have both a negative, mental and physical effect on workers.

However, when compared to the same time in 2009, stress levels have decreased according to Badenoch & Clark Employment’s study. Last year, the same study revealed that 93% of British workers felt stressed.

David Fleming, Badenoch & Clark ‘s Sales Director added, "Our employment study has shown that UK workers are suffering from chronic stress levels. Whilst it is encouraging to see that as the UK has come out of recession stress levels in the workplace have slightly decreased, the vast majority of workers are still under far too much pressure. The spending review and forthcoming cuts will do nothing to alleviate this situation."

Fleming added that stress costs British businesses billions of pounds a year. "Excessive stress reduces productivity and leads to an increase in sick days. Helping your staff create a balanced schedule, alongside firm management of workloads will assist in reducing stress. Further to this, it is important for managers to take time to talk to staff on a one-to-one basis and identify the main sources of stress." An Endsleigh income protection insurance policy can also be useful to avoid any unnecessary stress due to financial pressure caused by an injury or extended medical leave of absence.