A third concerned for jobs
Thursday, 16 Oct 2008 01:42
Over a third of workers worried about losing their job
Over a third of people are concerned for their jobs, according to a survey, after unemployment hit its highest level in a decade.
The unemployment rate jumped to 5.7 per cent yesterday, with the total jobless number reaching 1.79 million.
A study from Bupa showed workers in Bristol and Birmingham felt the most insecure about their jobs, with fears about employment five per cent higher than the national average.
In Newcastle, more than two in every five are feeling increasingly stressed because of the credit crunch, while London has one of the highest proportions of people working longer hours due to concerns over job security.
According to Bupa's survey, around one in three of those concerned about job security say they are losing sleep, one in five say they are depressed and almost one in every ten are seeking comfort in food by eating more.
Dr Rebecca Small, assistant medical director for Bupa UK health insurance, said: "For employers, the onus will be on spotting the signs of employee stress early, such as uncharacteristic short temperedness or an inability to concentrate and plan work."
Research from the Chartered Institute of Personnel and Development shows that stress is the number one cause of sickness absence for non-manual workers.
Capital Economics yesterday predicted unemployment will hit three million by 2010.