Are you stressed at work?

Workplace stress increases the risk of dying from a heart attack or stroke, according to new research in the TUC-backed "Hazards" magazine.

Long-term stress is worse for the heart than putting on 40lbs or ageing 30 years because workers deal with stress by smoking, drinking and "slobbing out".

Meanwhile, the West Dorset Hospitals NHS Trust has been given until 15 December to assess stress levels in among its 1,100 staff and introduce a programme to reduce it, according to the Times paper.

If it fails to act it will face court action and unlimited fines under the Health and Safety at Work Act.

Are you stressed at work? How do you cope? Should there be fines for putting pressure on employees?

This debate is now closed. Read a selection of your comments below.

---

The following comments reflect the balance of opinion we have received:

I find the uselessness of our transport system more frustrating than my job John B, UK

I work for an investment bank in the City. I also work essentially 9-5:30. A lot of people wonder "how I get away with it", but the answer is simple. Don't commit to more work than you can handle. When it's time to go home it's time to go home. If I face an urgent problem that has to be fixed I'll stay and fix it but days when something genuinely has to be done that evening are very rare. I find the uselessness of our transport system more frustrating than my job.
John B, UK

Businesses try to save money by employing fewer staff. I suffered stress-related complaints (chronic headaches, irregular heartbeat, loss of sleep and appetite) for 8 months because of the unreasonable workload and pressure. I decided my health came first so I quit my job to work from home. I'm poorer but my quality of life has improved beyond measure. Don't be afraid to change direction.
Tom, UK

My wife works in a virtual shed - a large industrial unit with no windows and no air conditioning which is stifling in this present climate. I gather it is even worse where people are involved in more physically demanding work in the same structure. I once worked down the coalmines and we worked in temperatures and humidity 120+ degrees in which it was impossible to wear any clothes at all - with coal dust impregnating the cloth they rubbed you raw not to mention prickly heat sweat rashes and underground water which was stronger than battery acid. These people are almost as badly exposed as we were but the difference between us and them is our environment was natural and hard to counter (though the Australians have superb air conditioned cabins with all mod cons underground), theirs is imposed. When are people going to let us work in decent environments which are as friendly as yours?
Stephen Round, England

Do yourselves a favour and get a life away from corporate slavery Reuben, London, UK

I was born in London and have worked in London for the last 12 years. I totally agree with those who say that they want to get out of their stressful working lives. I now have a job waiting for me in Denmark where I will have a short cycle to work from my house; a 9-4 job so I will be able to spend more time with my family. I just couldn't envisage spending the rest of my life in such a stressed way. Do yourselves a favour and get a life away from corporate slavery.
Reuben, London, UK (Not for much longer)

Company reorganisations and widespread ethical failure, wholly driven by company greed, have caused massive stress and 'stolen my quality of life' for the last 3 to 4 years. This has also created ongoing uncertainty about my retirement options. Greed and incompetent management are blight on many peoples' lives and they often affect the people whose values are simple and honest. The conniving crew actually believe that greed and mismanagement create an opportunity and a means to always benefit from the naiveté of others. It seems we must all get smarter and spot and exploit 'opportunities' in the same way. Darwin would not be surprised.
Jim aged 57, UK

"Jim aged 57, UK" presents a very one-sided view. He thinks all Business Owners/Managers are greedy and incompetent, and categorises Employees as having "Simple, honest" values. He should come and do my job for a day to discover what REAL stress is: Will my customers pay up on time? If not, I'll have to fund the monthly payroll out of my own pocket (again)! Will we win sufficient new work to keep everyone employed? Will everyone turn up for work today, or will someone "pull a sickie" (amazing how often it happens when the weather's good) and leave me with an angry customer and an extra workload to allocate to someone else? I suspect that contrary to Jim's views, Darwin would indeed be surprised that people with such outdated and unhelpful views still exist in the workplace.
John, England

If it's too hot in the sun, get up and find some shade! Matt, UK

The whingeing is unbelievable!! If you don't like working in the City or other 'high-stress' environments, get out! If it's too hot in the sun, get up and find some shade! I work for an investment bank in the City in a high pressure environment and I thrive on it. The pace of life is great and I have a job where I work on large high profile investment deals and interact with smart, talented people. The day I decide I don't want it any more, I will be on the next train out....
Matt, UK

Matt, UK: Do you know what? I felt stressed and uptight just reading your paragraph. The thing is, when we're working in the City we don't realise what tense, aggressive people we've become. I know I didn't. It's only when we leave - as I did - do we see it so obvious in others and we look back at the way we rushed around doing deals, thinking we were great and having fun, when really we were getting a buzz from something in isolation of a well-balanced life. Maybe it's growing up, but I can tell you - in the "shade" we see the light.
Ursula, UK

Oh dear. Matt, UK does seem to be rather missing the point. The point is that there is no good reason for jobs to be overly stressful. The long hours culture we live in does not lead to more work being done, it leads to tired and grumpy employees. Employers are shooting themselves in the foot when losing employees because of this. Saying 'get out' is all very well, but there are plenty of people who realise that the job itself is not unbearably stressful, but the environment in which it is being done - and that can and should change.
Katherine, UK

You don't need a high profile job to suffer stress. I work nightshift in a large supermarket and work is hell. Reduced staff numbers and increased supplies have pushed workloads to there limit. Management actively incourage "cutting corners" turning a blind eye when they need to. I am only on a temporary contract and don't want to be pushed out the door. What goes on in my workplace is down right illegal, and breaks several health and safety laws. Knowing this causes me great distress. I find myself being pressurised from all angles, as well as questioning my own morals for not doing anything.
AR, UK

When I graduated from university and decided to start a PhD, I had comments from fellow students' parents asking me when I was going to get a 'proper' job. Well, of my friends with 'proper' jobs, most are stressed, working obscene hours whilst dreaming of being elsewhere and one has even quit joining the army. I'm paid to carry out research (in the cancer research area), my hours are as I decide them, and I'm the happiest of the lot. I've just been at my college pool relaxing in the sun, and this lifestyle allows me to participate in a great sporting and social lifestyle. People have to consider their priorities.
Lucy, UK

As stress now starts for school children and the pressure of passing exams - isn't it about time stress management was tackled at primary school? Or is it?
Angie, UK

What gets me is the number of people who continue working on the train. I see people heading into work with their laptop balanced on their knees, working away on Excel or Word as they head into the City for work. Then in the evening I see people going home and still working away on their laptops. It's like they have nothing in their lives other than work. That's ridiculous. If they have to continue working in what is their leisure time, then they're overworked. Pure and simple. I almost feel sorry for them.
Antony, UK

The best way is a balanced way Natalie, UK

I decided last year to stop dating men who worked in the City. The stress that they experience and put themselves under (there's a bit of both going on) is not conducive to a balanced mental state, let alone forming a close relationship. I like ambition and would not date a man without it, but the best way is a balanced way.
Natalie, UK

I'm 24 and want to retire. I've had enough already.
Barrie, UK

Everyone has stress of one sort or another. I wouldn't want to be in the Prime Minister's shoes at the moment but the best medicine for stress is yoga which controls your mind and body.
Suryaparsad Upadhya, Nepal, currently serving in UK

Earlier this year, owing to constant pressure and impossible deadlines, I finally 'snapped' and stormed out of the office. Since then my colleagues have been very reluctant to ask me to do anything.
Anon, UK

Getting the job done is only half the battle Sally, London, UK

At 25 I feel that my life is ruled by my job - the hours are long and the management terribly inflexible when you need them to be and their attitude stinks. What business in general must realise is that getting the job done is only half the battle - if the people at ground level are treated like they are worth nothing then that's when your conflicts begin. I'm still young but I feel like I'm aging at an incredible rate.
Sally, London, UK

I resigned from the City at Canary Wharf 3 years ago. I have my own business now, I'm poorer money wise (so far), and yet strangely I have more to spend but just don't want to any more. I work longer hours in total, but I have more free time. I sleep well, I do lots of sport, I wake up in the morning not knowing what's going to happen but with a wonderful smile on my face. I spend time with friends, my body is relaxed, I notice the world around me, and when I do have to commute back on the train I seem to be the only one sitting/standing contentedly and making eye contact. I'm just so relieved I stepped off that rat run and never ever want to go back.
Laura, UK

It's not just work that's causing stress - it's the pressure put on that if you don't have certain things in your life you're below average - a mortgage, the technological mod-cons etc. And kids' tastes are getting far more expensive as a result of them feeling pressured to keep up with the Jones'. Why do we think we're witnessing debt spiral so dramatically?
The stress that people feel is the stress they put on themselves. I'm not saying people shouldn't try and achieve - they just need to step back on why they want to achieve. People don't need to possess in order to feel good about themselves - and not possessing certainly doesn't make you sub-standard.
Steve Lauder, UK

Stress is self-made. If you wring your hands about how stressful your life is, you will find your life stressful. If you just take the view that work is just something that we do, then it's a lot easier to take it in your stride. If you can't do that, change career or change job. I've done it and it's a lot easier than it seems before you take the plunge. Life is too short to waste on being unhappy.
Matt, England

All the (high earning) bosses go home early and expect us to finish the task into the night Jan, UK

Work life balance? What balance? What life? I'm currently "enjoying" 13-15 hour days at a city firm that has frozen my salary and thinks I should be grateful for my job in a depressed market. We don't have a bonus scheme so that most of my efforts are rewarded with is a thank you (and that's a rarity). The first thing that we do when a new deal begins is to give out our home and mobile phone numbers so that we can be contacted 24/7. All the (high earning) bosses go home early and expect us to finish the task into the night.
I don't have time to do any household chores or even cook a meal, let alone go to the gym or write a short story to relieve stress! There is no way that I would continue to endure this environment if I didn't need the salary to pay back my students debts. Any suggestion that this way of life might be unacceptable is met with the opinion that you must not be cut out for the job as the long hours' culture is the nature of the beast.
Jan, UK

I am a middle manager which means I experience stress from two sides, that placed upon me by my managers and stress that I place on my staff to reach our objectives. The main problem facing us all is that we can handle different levels of stress and therefore managing staff becomes extremely difficult.
The fundamental problem is that consumers (which we all are) expect more for less. Unless technology provides efficiency gains this can only be achieved through increasing workload. This coupled with our high cost of living and its resulting need for two earners in each family result in everyone trying to do too much in too little time. Stress levels are much lower in countries where families have one earner - did we take the wrong path?
Russell, UK

I'm lying back in a chair, in shorts and tee shirt, surfing the net and having a (free) beer. Occasionally I get up to have a chat to a couple of tourists, or get them a drink. I don't get paid much, but living costs are less then 50 euros a week. Stress? Well, I have to decide what to have for dinner.
Paul Weaver, Greece

I have taken on board most of the information given in previous responses but I would like to add - "How can you manage your own stress levels if you cannot say no in case it goes against you in your development plan which equates to your salary review". Employers let you carry on taking the pressure and the more you do the more they want out of you. I agree that you should take control of your own destiny but until I had a breakdown last year I did not realise how much I put upon myself, the breakdown taught me how important I am. It is learning to strike a balance between home and work and making sure your home life, family and you get a look in every day.
Amanda, UK

I worked for an investment bank in the City and would ensure all my work was done by 6pm. As I walked out each evening, as the sneering and "part timer" comments were sniggered behind me. One day I needed to work late and actually got to see what everyone else did until 8.30 each evening. They phoned their wives to say they'd be late again, and sat around drinking coffee or surfing the net. None of them had the courage to leave until the boss left, then seconds after he walked out they went too. A big part of stress is the cycle of macho bravado that the city perpetuates. The men that succumb to it and don't have the strength to just walk out when they've done their work and have a life outside their work, are weak, and not so strong as they think they are. It's all a mass of self-delusion and it needs strong people to break it and say "no more".
Ursula, UK

Stress? Pah! That's for people who take themselves too seriously.
Tony Hemphill, uk

Ok, what happens when the stress reducing tactics no longer work? What happens when those who sneer at those who find their working conditions too stressful, become victims of stress themselves? I just can't believe the unfeeling arrogance of some of the posts I just read.
Winston, uk

Well done us: another fine modern western approach to life D McKean, Bristol

We only work to obtain money so we can spend that money when we're not at work. If we start working longer and longer hours we'll start getting richer and richer, yet more and more boring. Well done us: another fine modern western approach to life.
D McKean, Bristol

I agree stress is a major part of our work life. I am a psychiatric social worker, working for the NHS & social service and we work under great stress trying to manage people within the community who suffer from common-moderate server mental illness. I feel that we are under extensive pressure to meet clients' demands, managers' demands and trying to keep all the paper work up to date, mental health assessment, risk assessment and so on. It's a very difficult job and at times we feel we do not have any support.
AJ, UK

We humans are endowed with a magical, wonderful computer called a brain. And, even more amazing, each of the billions of brains are programmed somewhat differently. This difference in programming causes each and everyone of use to react in a different manner to identical input. What is "stress" to one person is actually "challenging" to another. The trick to being a good manager is to understand your people and try to fit them into jobs that maximize their individual capabilities. In this increasingly crowded and complex world it will be necessary to develop the utmost creativity from every individual if we are all to survive. There is no panacea and the leaders who rise in their professions must truly lead and not drive their fellow men.
Bill Riffe (74) USA usa

I believe the first thing to do to help yourself with stress is to take responsibility for it yourself. This means not blaming external factors - even work. I've battled with sometimes disabling anxiety for years now and have my own coping strategies that are effective. If people keep blaming external factors such as work, they are always one step behind finding a solution to their troubles.
Bruce Milligan, UK

I work in an office of 20 people of which at least 10 have been told in the last six months that their illnesses are caused by stress. This includes the office manager who has pressure on him from above. We are all expected to work harder and harder, against a backdrop of fear of redundancy, diminishing pensions and in constantly reminded that workers in the far east can do your job for a tenth of the money
Ian Fenton, England

My whole life feels like one constant battle Sarah, UK

I couldn't agree more. I am permanently exhausted. I work full time in the city and am a single mother of a teenage daughter. My whole life feels like one constant battle. I enjoy my job but live in guilt for not being at home. School holidays are the worst time for me. I collapse every evening - I belong to a gym but never go. By the weekend I catch up on housework, mowing the lawn and shopping. Then its back to the 'rat race' again for another week. I can't see an end to it. I sleep badly and am on anti depressants just to help me cope. I do 'unwind' by drinking and smoking. Its very hard to break the cycle.
Sarah, UK

Stress isn't necessarily pressure, so comments about people "being able to cope with the demands of the job" are not appropriate. There can be stress without pressure - just the angst of bad management, or poor leadership, of mind-dumbing tasks, of working towards nothing, of a corporate culture that is just suffocating. It's all very well to say "go and get another job then" - 70% of all the MBAs that I graduated with are still unemployed 18 months after leaving and most of us left our previous jobs because of a mind-dumbing, unfulfilling stress, not a pressured stress.
Nat, UK

I worked in investment banking in London and found that long hours were mandatory preventing a balance between family life and work. It was only after moving to work in Holland that I realised the amount of time wasted in internal red tape, politics and incompetence. The Dutch seem to have it down to a tee. They are focused hard working and do not put up with nonsense from each other or their employer resulting in a much happier environment. The amount achieved is far greater than I experienced in the UK. General expectations are lower and people are less materialistic which leads them to being friendly, happier, less aggressive and fulfilled.
Tarek Saber, Netherlands

Wanting to actually take your lunch break makes you feel like a heretic in my office Mike Finch, UK

Stress at work is becoming so commonplace people expect it. Wanting to actually take your lunch break makes you feel like a heretic in my office. This is especially evident when we are busy, although this is surely the time when you need a break the most? It is a basic human need to have a rest during the day and has been scientifically proven to be beneficial to your health and work, yet most people still seem to think it shows you are less dedicated to your work than you should be if you want a break.
Mike Finch, UK

I had a permanent post as a teacher in an inner city school and was so stressed that I could not talk to my family or function properly at home. My children and my partner all suffered because of my stress. Many of my colleagues were on tranquilizers or anti-depressants to help them cope. Despite asking for the necessary support from management within the school none was forthcoming so in the end, after nearly 2 years in post, I resigned. My family were greatly relieved and after a while I got back to 'normal'. I often think that there should have been some sort of come back for me for having to relinquish my permanent post. At the time however I was just relieved to be out of a situation which was intolerable. If sanctions were more easily available perhaps the people who don't listen will be more willing to take notice of what is being said by their staff and take supportive action.
Tina, England

Personally, I find doing a lot of physical exercise beats my stress. It's important to be able to leave your job at work. Having clear home/work boundaries is a good strategy.
Mike Hunt, UK

You have to have a life otherwise your job will take it from you Alex, UK

I once worked a 26 hour shift, and walked out for the rest of the week in disgust at my manager rigidly doing 9-5 despite immense workloads. I've never ever allowed myself to be stressed since. I refuse to do excessive work in ridiculous deadlines if it'll make me unduly stressed. As a result I've earned the respect of my colleagues and boss. I don't do 9-5, but I don't do 80 hour weeks either. It's all about life/work balance. You have to have a life otherwise your job will take it from you.
Alex, UK

Here in the Netherlands workplace stress is more than recognised. It is extremely common for those not coping with their workloads or colleagues to go on 'stress leave' which is basically leave on full pay for a maximum of two years, after which the employer can apply to terminate the employment. Unfortunately the system is highly abused by both staff and employers and has therefore lost respect.
Jennifer, Netherlands, ex UK

Not to discredit those experiencing illness brought on by high pressure, but it seems that some people here are confusing lack of job satisfaction with stress. Though I agree that having a job one does not enjoy doing can lead to feelings of hopelessness (ie what is it all for?), this in itself is not stress. It probably all comes down to semantics, but the inescapable conclusion is that if you think you are experiencing stress and it is affecting your health, you should probably leave your current job and find something that is not only interesting to you, but gives you a sense of accomplishment.
LP, Egham, UK

I have resigned and have been free for 2 weeks Lisa, UK

I was stressed at work, which was seriously affecting my mental and physical wellbeing, not to mention my marriage and my attempts to get pregnant. So I have resigned and have been free for 2 weeks now. I already feel better - I'm sleeping, and I'm eating less comfort food. As I got paid more than my husband, this means we will be strapped for cash, but we both decided we would rather be happy than have disposable income. So I can't keep up with the Jones's in terms of material goods - so what? I've got love, laughter and health - I'm better off than many.
Lisa, UK

In Japan company directors can be held responsible and jailed for their staff committing suicide due to stress at work. We need the same legislation here. Companies will NEVER have their staff's health interests at heart, it is all about "shareholder value", we need legislation with teeth and we need to see a few of the big banks fined as an example to other firms. Of course it will not happen, Blair and his cronies have shown that they are quiet happy in bed with the CBI and the working population of this country can have their nervous breakdowns and stress related illnesses.
Vish, UK

I'm amazed we all choose to live this way - simply to earn money to buy stuff we throw away! I always try to find ways to ensure my life is balanced. To those of you who work under too much stress or those to choose to put stress on your employees, try this - No one on their death bed ever says they wish they'd spent more time at work!!!
Andrew T, UK

Everyone is stressed at work, but if stress reaches levels where you are unhappy then you, yourself, must decide how to cope with it. Sit down with your boss and calmly make your point - if they ignore you then you have a case for constructive dismissal. Analyse how much extra money or career prospects actually matter to you. We all have choices. I suspect many who complain of long hours and stress would scoff if offered less hours for proportionally less money...
Phil, UK

Good man-management skills are consistently overlooked Susan, UK

The problem lays with bad management. People are often promoted purely for their business skills, while good man-management skills are consistently overlooked, and in some cases ridiculed. The former can be taught to anyone with enough cash to support themselves through an MBA, but the latter is an innate and seriously underrated skill. I've lost count of how many bright young MBA's I've watched as they have come up with a brilliant new idea but have stumbled at the first hurdle because they have no idea how to direct a team or an individual in order to get the job done efficiently without putting undue stress on themselves or their staff. At the end of the day, whatever your business, you are only as good as your people, so listen to them, respect them, play to individual strengths and say thank you every now and again.
Susan, UK

Yes, I'm stressed but that's the price for living in a free (and hence capitalist) country. Every company has to run as efficiently as possible which means having headcount consistently in line with their business. When times are good they hire and when times are bad they fire. That's good for the companies but not for their staff as their workload remains a consistent maximum. How many people this week are sitting on a holiday allocation and yet looking out the window dreaming off a day off... enough said!
Phillip Holley, UK, London

Yes, stress is shortening my life and stops me sleeping and the bosses take no notice
Lis Banks, UK

Just the knowledge that there are people who will take you seriously matters Rachel, Netherlands

Hearing these stories I have to say I'm very lucky. I now work for a company that actually cares about possible stress, and the effect on it's employees. Of course there are still quite a few managers who will try to get you to work harder so they will look better or are just big bullies. But at least the company tries to ensure nobody gets ill due to stress. Just the knowledge that there are people who will take you seriously matters. There are also regular (anonymous) forms sent out where you can fill in any problems. It is of course also in the company's best interests to do so. Happy employees work better. The quality of work is better. They take less days off work because they are ill or just fed up. In the end making sure your employees don't burn down is a lot cheaper and therefore more sensible thing to do.
Rachel, Netherlands

I live in France because I was retired medically due to that stress. It is a wonderful idea but how do you propose to measure what is 'unreasonable and what is 'unreasonable' when coping with demands? Surely those 'extra' responsibilities that are required of employees are too numerous to mention? Who is going to 'police' this system?
Claire, France

If your employer refuses to accept that there is a stress problem at work (just dismisses it or provides a third party counselling service to sweep it under the carpet) then I feel there should be fines to spur employers into doing something positive and solve the situation once and for all. Stress should not be part of your every day work life.
Jack Shackleton, England

We seem to live in a culture that says if you are not working flat-out then you are not really working Phil, England

We seem to live in a culture that says if you are not working flat-out then you are not really working. The thrust for more efficient working is a euphemism for employing fewer people - but without the supporting technology or working practice. Business complains of losing money through stress; perhaps increased expense of employing more people to do the same job would be offset by a reduction of time lost through stress.
Phil, England

There seems to be increasing pressure on UK businesses to reduce costs and increase profits (or at least in the current economic climate, decrease losses). The result is fewer people doing the same total amount of work. I constantly find myself under pressure from higher management to work longer hours including into the weekend and I find it very stressful. I don't drink more as a result and find I'm too tired to exercise. I don't see my very young son during the week at all which is also very depressing. I think there should be legislation to protect people from these sorts of conditions. If I leave before 7pm it's frowned on - why should that be so? It's coming to breaking point for me and many others.
Matthew, UK

I note with interest the number of employees complaining about the stress employers put on them. It can and does work the other way. Sometimes employees use and abuse the rights given to them, placing the employer in a financially irreparable situation. When employees screw the system, they endanger everyone. We're not all 'fat cats' you know. Some employers are only human too.
Graeme, UK

The world of work as it is currently constituted is not sustainable Boyd Rodger, UK

Why some think that putting their fellow humans under unrelenting pressure and fear to perform makes them somehow creative and productive is a form of collective fantasy. On top of that, just getting to and from work in manic rush hour commuting adds to the sense of futility. Then when we do get some time to relax at the weekend we experience a ritual of noisy lawnmowers, congested pubs and shops and overbooked restaurants. Is it that our whole lifestyle is manic and stressful?

If any of this resonates then how do we change? I left a 20 year secure job for many of the reasons above. I now feel more creative than ever before with a healthy life/work balance. Perhaps if more of us made these small gestures then employers may feel they can no longer get away with treating their staff like slaves. The world of work as it is currently constituted is not sustainable. Developing better alternatives is the new frontier for 21st Century pioneers.
Boyd Rodger, UK

Stress is part and parcel of life and people must start to take responsibility for managing and limiting their own stress levels. How can employers possibly know what is too much for any one person? I learned the hard way, by having a complete breakdown and 2 years off work - for years I had known that I wasn't coping well but I was determined not to "let anyone down". I view what happened as my own "fault" and I am certain that my employer would far rather I had pulled the plug earlier before I did myself so much damage. It just didn't seem like an option to me back then. I now cope much better - I work part-time, walk out of work when I've done my hours and don't give it a second thought till I return the next day. In fact, I am thankful for my breakdown, because I now feel like I have a life again.
Gillian O., U.K.

I suffered from work place stress some two to three years ago. Once my employer was made aware of the diagnosis their only question was "was I given medication?" No suggestion of what they can do to relieve the stress which was caused by their bad management practices. Following several months signed off work I had no alternative but to leave in order to save my health. Since that time I know of at least three others who were placed in a similar situation, two have also left and one remains in employment on a daily regime of pills to get her through the day. The Company doctor agreed with other medical findings, but still nothing was done.
Should companies be fined, absolutely! It is high time HR in companies took note not only of absence figures at work but at the level which is caused by stress, find the common denominator, if this is within the work place itself, and get rid of it. As there is still a stigma attached to such an illness I have decided to stay anon, after all my new employer might read this too.
Anon, Scotland

Of course there's stress in the workplace. You don't collect your salary for just turning up! This sounds like another non-issue brought up by compensation lawyers in order to boost their income. It just shows how much stress they are under to find new ways of making money.
Bryan, UK

Nobody likes feeling stressed, but the main problem with stress is how we handle it as individuals. And most individuals who regularly claim to feel "stressed out", simply aren't handling it at all. When I feel stressed, I grab a drink, sit down and write a short story, or a part of my ongoing attempt at a novel. It's wonderful for getting those feelings released, and if more people found a creative way of releasing tension, stress wouldn't be such a problem.
Gareth Rippingale, UK

My husband died from a stroke when he was 51, leaving me alone to bring up our 9 year old son. I blame his work for placing him under so much pressure. I think the management of any company should be held responsible for the amount of pressure and the workload that they place on their staff. After all, they make sure the workforce provide the company with its profit. Therefore the company should make sure the workforce is provided for. Compensation does not bring back a loved one but consideration of the loved one by the company may ensure he is with you a lot longer.
Sandra Ward, England

Our department had 3 nervous breakdowns, a heart attack, 4 alcoholics, and 4 who suffered exhaustion Helen Kendall, UK

When I worked for an investment bank in the City, our department had 3 nervous breakdowns, a heart attack of someone in their early 30's, 4 alcoholics, and 4 others who burnt out and suffered exhaustion. Did the bank care? Of course not - as soon as they were ill, the bank made their situation even worse so that they would leave through even more stress, and the bank would just hire someone else. The rest of us were exhausted from the daily commute and the dreadful environment of the bank where dictatorial emails "From the Firm" would arrive each day. The toilets were smashed up several times as people left meetings in such a state and just had to vent their anger on something. The solution? We all need to reject these City environments - they're not big, they're not clever.
Helen Kendall, UK

Most offices in the city especially when you work within facilities, are often bullies who basically make your life a living hell. They know what they are doing and if your face does not fit then your life will be made hard. If you work hard and keep your head down then you will be taken for granted. they know most people need their job and they basically hold you to ransom over it. I could write a book on the antics and I know the majority of city workers would be able to identify with one scenario or another.
Anon, UK

I cope with stress by chilling for a while and reading 'Have Your Say ' ?!?!
Alan, UK

I work in the City and am totally zapped out, I feel constantly ill, tired, emotional and utterly fed up with my pointless existence of sitting in the tube for 2 hours a day to work for a faceless corporation for an ok salary that I'd gladly swap for a different life. Sounds familiar?
Julian, UK

I suffered a breakdown 2 years ago and was held under Section 2 of the Mental Health Act. Diagnosed as depression. After spending 1 week the section was lifted and I spent 1 month off work. They taught me relaxation techniques, other staff members drink, others smoke heavily (mainly the younger aged staff), others just get angry about their job, and management. None of us have specific control. That time off really showed how bad my company was for Work Related Stress. Recently there has been a lot of publicity and there is in place now WRS guidelines for each department. Guidelines only, mind you... we don't have union support so have no 'control' over our work lives.
Colin Bartlett, Oxford UK

The main pressure is from travelling on our appalling railways Jenni, England

When I've had a bad day it's so tempting to open a bottle of wine and slob on the sofa. I try and work up the energy to go to the gym, because I know I'll feel tons better afterwards. The main pressure is from travelling on our appalling railways, not work itself, and I think a lot of people would blame work when it's actually getting to and from it. BUT some help with work/life balance is needed in the bigger, scarier companies.
Jenni, England

We have just had a new MD come on board. The previous one had no sense of humour, lined his pockets with company money and enjoyed business class flights while we had to do our own cleaning. The respect he had from staff was nil. Last September I feared I was on the verge of a breakdown, I was depressed, my periods were intermittent and I was not sleeping. Since the new MD started I feel happier, am laughing which I haven't done for months, am more relaxed and feel more secure. Sometimes the biggest cause of stress in the office can be the actions and/or attitudes of just one single person.
Sara, UK

Stress at work comes from a variety of factors, whether it be the volume of work itself or a demanding boss. Speaking personally, my stress comes from a manager who is overbearing and controlling. Even when the work itself is interesting and manageable the effect 'the boss' has on an average workday can make it a horrible experience. However, most of the health risk involved is on the part of my manager, as I may kill her soon. If anyone knows of a better job going, please let me know.
Harry, London, UK

The personal stress I was feeling was left me in tears on a regular basis. Chris, UK

I left the army after 13 years not long ago. There I spent at least 6 months of the year on tour in places like Bosnia and Kosovo. When working at my unit in the UK 20 hour days of high pressure work were not uncommon due to the fact that health and safety laws (such as driving hours) were flouted with great impunity by officers\senior ranks all trying to produce results with undermanned units. I left as the personal stress I was feeling was left me in tears on a regular basis. I am now employed within the IT sector, which is supposedly one of the most pressured civilian trades and all I can say is that it is a walk in the park stress-wise compared to serving in the modern British armed forces.
Chris, UK

I am an A&E doctor. The levels of stress that NHS staff experience are enormous. There is no support from trusts for their staff in dealing with this. We witness hundreds of traumatic deaths a year and yet we are expected to just carry on. I personally know 3 doctors who have had their careers and lives ruined by the stress of the job. The NHS cannot afford to go on treating its staff like this.
Chris Manlow, UK

I used to think that taking time off work for stress was skiving. Now after suffering from a life threatening illness as well as recently losing my mother to cancer I now know what stress is really like. Work is an added worry for many people and can be the straw that breaks the camel's back if its not addressed quickly. Life is already hard and we need to ensure that in both our social and working lives we do not allow ourselves to suffer from undue stress when it can be avoided.
Simon, UK

Every employee is responsible for how they respond to pressure Andrew, UK

Surely this is ludicrous!!! Obviously there has to be a limit to the demands placed on staff by any employer but every employee is also responsible for how they respond to pressure and indeed whether they remain in that job. In every work environment there are some who cope far better than average and others who cope far worse. Does this mean that the employer is to blame for the condition of this latter category, or might it suggest that those employees are simply not up to the demands of the job? Being able to cope with difficult situations/pressure etc is a part of everyone's job, part of everyday life. We do all have the choice. Surely the Govt's focus should be on educating people as to how they can better deal with pressure without becoming stressed???
Andrew, UK

I find it ironic that the HSE should raise the question of workplace stress. Having worked in an industry (offshore oil) that is especially stressed by HSE regulations I have seen morale deteriorate over the last few years due to the oppressive safety culture wherein one has the sense of always being watched and simple tasks involve risk assessments designed to show how clever and safety aware the originator is. As an adult I find it stressing to be constantly nagged about having to hold the banisters when using stairs etc.
Gordon Mitchell, UK