24/10/2001

Survey finds half the working population are stressed out

More than half of the UK’s working population are stressed at work, a survey conducted by a leading time management company has revealed.

The survey, which aims to raise awareness of how to cope with stress, was published on the eve of National Stress Awareness Day, which takes place on Thursday November 1. Leading time management company, Time/system, which published the survey, said it showed that over half of Britons employees are stressed at work.

Top tips resulting from the survey include:


  • Learn to say No, but be polite yet firm. Explain your workload is too great to take on any new request made of you that day


  • Take five minutes and list everything you can do this morning and this afternoon – everything else either assign to tomorrow or delegate


  • Plan tomorrow today. At the end of the say repeat task two and give yourself credit for everything you have achieved today


  • Monitor your interruptions for a day. To reduce time pressures, cut back on the most common interruptions for help, information and gossip


  • Try and group your activities. For example, spend half an hour each day returning all your phone calls, rather than interrupting yourself every time someone calls




Time/system surveyed over 7,500 British business people about their working and home lives, time and stress. Tony Rackham, Sales & Marketing Director, Time/system, said the results showed that business people were obviously feeling stressed out and that is not good for them, their families or their jobs.

However, Mr Rackham advised there were simple steps in avoiding such stress and that consideration of results from the survey could help employers and employees find a compromise that would lead to the alleviation of such stress. (MB)

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