Is stress causing you to drink at work?

One in seven employees are sneaking a drink at work to take the edge off, as they struggle to cope with workplace stress.

Other coping mechanisms include drinking after hours (57%), smoking (28%) and taking antidepressants (15%). The survey of 2,000 UK employees by Mind also found stress in the workplace has caused 7% of respondents to have suicidal thoughts, and 18% developing anxiety.

“Work related mental health problems are an issue too important for businesses to ignore. Our research shows that employees are still experiencing high levels of stress at work, which is negatively impacting their physical and mental health,” Paul Farmer, chief executive of Mind, said.

A third of respondents said the pressures of the workplace were either quite or very stressful – more so than debt or financial problems (30%) or health (17%), The Telegraph reported.

Therefore, Farmer said it is very important for leaders to pay more attention to the well-being of their staff. Six in 10 respondents said they would be more loyal and feel more motivated if their employers supported the mental health of staff, and they would also be more likely to recommend it as a place to work.

“Improving mental well-being in the workplace doesn’t have to cost a lot. Our research shows that people whose organisations offered flexible working hours and generous annual leave said such measures supported their mental well-being,” he said.