New survey of wellbeing at work

A new DWP report, 'Health and Wellbeing at work; a survey of employees' has found that 'depression, bad nerves or anxiety were reported as the most common symptoms of ill health caused by work.'

Given a list of symptoms, employees reported as follows:

• Depression, bad nerves or anxiety: 10%
• Problems/disabilities connected with your back or neck: 9%
• Chest or breathing problems, asthma, bronchitis: 8%
• Heart, blood pressure or blood circulation problems: 8%
• Problems/disabilities (including arthritis or rheumatism) connected with your legs or feet: 7%
• Other health problems or disabilities: 7%

In addition, 36% of employees reported that their depression, bad nerves or anxiety were caused by work, while 55% said work made their symptoms worse.

The same report found that only 5% of employees found life outside work very stressful.

The report contains a wealth of information and is well worth a look. It is one of four commissioned by DWP examining GP, employer and employee attitudes and behaviours towards health and well-being at work. I'll be reporting more on this soon.

The conclusions are in line with the World Health Organisation finding that depression is the largest cause of disability in the world.

You can read more in these articles: The Cost of Stress and Depression.