Stress soars with rising job fear

Job cuts and runaway insecurity at work have led to a sharp upturn in workplace stress, a union survey has found. The poll for the Trade Union Co-ordinating Group (TUCG) found 1 in 5 workers report they are having to work harder as a result of job cuts in their workplace, with 1 in 7 in fear of losing their job.

Over a quarter (26 per cent) of all workers feel more stressed now than a year ago, the survey found. Mark Serwotka, general secretary of TUCG member union PCS, commented: 'This survey reveals the rising levels of stress and insecurity in the workplace. With government plans for further cuts to jobs, pensions and pay on the horizon this situation is only going to deteriorate in the next 12 months.'

Steve Gillan, general secretary of the prison officers' union POA said: 'This survey shows the real concerns of British workers as budget cuts come to fruition. These stress levels are a cause for concern. The cuts are deep and too quick, which will damage the confidence of workers not only in the public sector, but private sector. This health and safety survey will soon spark anger amongst workers very quickly.'

And Bob Crow, general secretary of the transport union RMT said: 'This important research shows that a culture of fear is sweeping through Britain's workplaces as employers use the threat of the sack to demand longer hours for less money as the spectre of two and half million on the dole hangs over workers' heads.' He added: 'Bullying and harassment is rife and the first thing to take the hit is safe working practices as the ConDem cuts agenda threatens to turn the tide on gains on workers' rights and workplace safety that have been secured since the Second World War.' TUCG is made up of 10 national unions - BFAWU, FBU, NAPO, NUJ, NUT, PCS, POA, RMT, UCU and URTU - and represents almost 1 million workers.