Workers feel the pressure in recession

The economic recession is making 44 per cent of British workers feel more pressured in the workplace, a new survey has found.

And fears over the security of their jobs is what is worrying nearly two-thirds of these workers, according to the survey carried out by YouGov on behalf of the Institution of Occupational Safety and Health (IOSH).

Nattasha Freeman, the president of IOSH, said: ìThese findings confirm that a significant number of staff are worried about the impact the recession is having on them.î

In the survey, 44 per cent of people admitted they were feeling more pressured because of the recession. Gender and social class made little difference to this. Those in the North of England and 35-44 year olds were most likely to admit to feeling more pressured.

Nearly two-thirds (65 per cent) of workers who were feeling more pressured said that it was job insecurity that was causing them to feel this. Again, it was a common finding across the board regardless of age, sex, social class and geographic location.

A further underlying cause for concern was that more than a third of people surveyed who feel they are more pressured put some of this extra pressure down to having increased responsibilities or duties at work and to the reduced resources available to their organisation (see notes for editors).

Nattasha added: ìThe worry from these findings is that more people are getting trapped by the pressures of living to work, rather than working to live. Pressure isnít always a bad thing, it can of course be a positive motivator for some, but too much prolonged pressure is not good. Being overly pressured can affect an individualís efficiency, frustrate teamwork and, on a personal level, it can impact on family life.

ìThereís lots employers can do to help relieve excess pressure and improve the health of their staff,î said Nattasha. îIt even pays them to do so. A recent survey by the Chartered Institute of Personnel and Development (CIPD) found that sickness absence costs 666 per employee per year. Having a health agenda in the workplace really can help workers who feel pressured, and it can help you save money in the long run.

ìNow thereís a recession itís not a good time to cut corners on health and safety. Keeping workers happy, healthy and in work is very important - it can help stop your company from going to the wall.î

The findings come as health and safety professionals from across the world gather in Liverpool for the 2009 IOSH conference and exhibition, which will explore a number of hot issues. This includes a focus on the health and well being of workers, with Dr Bill Gunnyeon from the Department for Work and Pensions and on workplace stress, with Dr Chris Shinn from West Yorkshire Police.