Workplace stress is damaging the health of executives in organisations across Britain and companies could be doing more to help their employees cope.

Taking the Strain, a recent report from the Institute of Management (IM) and PPP healthcare shows almost three quarters of executives say stress adversely affects their health, happiness and homelife, as well as their performance at work. Meanwhile, less than 30% think their health and wellbeing are taken seriously by their employer, although over half (54 per cent) believe their organisation does value them as an important asset.

Most executives regularly experience a range of symptoms, commonly linked to stress, such as excessive tiredness, disturbed sleep, loss of temper and headaches. The report also reveals that a quarter of executives admits to having to take sick leave in the past year as a result of these types of symptoms.

Despite the problem, organisations are turning a blind eye - fewer than one in 10 have carried out any form of stress audit in the past year. Only 17 per cent of organisations offer their people any type of employee assistance programme, leaving the majority of individuals to seek out their own 'stress busters'.

So, what are the causes of stress at work? According to the report, almost a quarter of executives say their organisations have been involved in mergers and acquisitions and nearly a third report expansion into new markets during the past year. Nearly 40% of managers say their organisations have changed the focus of their activities or company culture and technology has driven change in almost half of organisations.

Workplace change and restructuring have led to the loss of people in key positions in organisations and two thirds of executives say they now handle increased responsibilities.

Anna Lagerkvist