Deal with the root causes of stress at work

EMPLOYERS are being urged to tackle the causes of stress and other health issues facing workers rather than “papering over the cracks” with wellbeing perks.

- By ALAN JONES

The Institution of Occupational Safety and Health (IOSH) published a report exposing a sharp global rise in workplace health and wellbeing challenges and a gulf between good intentions and impact.

Its research in 22 countries, including the UK, suggested mounting pressure with mental health issues such as stress, anxiety and depression are the most common employee challenges.

Businesses continue to rely on reactive benefits such as lifestyle perks and one-off incentives while leaving issues such as job design, workload, hours, organisational culture and psychosocial hazards largely unaddressed, the report said.

Ruth Wilkinson, IOSH's head of policy, said: "These findings tell us employers are committed to investing in worker health and wellbeing, yet problems still occur.