Study finds job stress increases during recessions

Nottingham, United Kingdom – Work-related stress increases substantially during a recession, according to research from the University of Ulster and the University of Nottingham.

A study comparing two surveys of civil servants in Northern Ireland – one taken in 2005 before the economic downturn and one in 2009 – found job stress increased 40 percent during the recession. One in 4 workers experienced job stress, leading to a 25 percent increase in the number of people taking time off due to job stress. Total time off due to psychosocial problems increased as well, according to a press release from the University of Ulster.

Researchers concluded that during hard economic times, employers should focus on psychosocial risk management activities to encourage health and reduce sickness among workers.

The study will appear in the March issue of the journal Occupational Medicine.