The most stressful week of the corporate calendar

Employment Law & HR update 02/08/2011

With vast numbers of UK workers heading off on their summer holidays this weekend, the colleagues left behind are facing their most stressful week of work.

Research carried out by Sovereign Healthcare has revealed that 29 per cent of workers suffer increased stress levels when their colleagues are away.

Of the 2,000 staff members questioned for the research, covering the annual leave of others was considered to be the second most stressful workplace situation.

Only the threat of being made redundant ranked as more stressful, with 38 per cent of workers citing that as their top cause of stress.

Workers even reported that they found covering a colleague's holiday to be more stressful than going through a divorce, relationship break-down or moving home.

Chief Executive of Sovereign Health Care, Russ Piper, said, “Stress is a complex issue which can manifest itself in different ways, making it difficult for managers to identify and manage in the workplace.

“However a failure to do so could lead to employees developing further health problems and having to take time off work, which can cause remaining staff even more stress,” he added.

Mr Piper went on to say that it was particularly important for businesses to increase the "well-being support" they offer employees at this time of year to try and relieve some of the burden.