According to new research, stress in the workplace is going to cost £637 million to UK businesses this year. This money will be lost due to sick days caused by stress and compensation claims caused accidents at work.

Insurance company RSA conducted a poll of 2,013 employees and discovered that as many as 71% had suffered from increased levels of stress at work. 20% of those polled felt that were likely to suffer and accident at work because of their increased stress levels.

The figure is as high as 35% in manufacturing.

RSA’s Phil Bell stated:

Employers have to take stress, long hours and the likely increase in workplace injuries seriously. All employers have a duty of care to their staff. Good employers recognise this and are taking steps to address this.