As many as one in four employees works non-stop throughout the day, according to a new survey published today.
As many as one in four employees works non-stop throughout the day, according to a new survey published today.
The figures, compiled by the Chartered Society of Physiotherapists (CSP), also suggest that a third of employees work through most of their lunch break. Of those, half said this was because the volume of work was too high, and a third said it was because their firm was understaffed.
According to many investigations, British employees work the longest hours in Europe. Many health professionals are concerned that working over lunch, on top of these long hours, is causing mental and physical harm to employees.
High volumes of work and staff shortages are also contributing to employee stress, according to the survey. The CSP says some 40 per cent of those surveyed said they felt stressed at work at least once a week, while more than half said they regularly go to work when unwell.
According to the CSP, many employees also have poor working practices while they are in the office. It says long-term leave can be reduced by encouraging better posture and installing better office furniture, in order to cut the risk of musculoskeletal problems.
It is estimated that sick leave costs British businesses some £35 billion every year. Many hope that this bill can be cut by the introduction of ‘fit notes’, which will explain to businesses what steps they can take to help their employees return to work.
