As per a research, which has been published in the scientific journal, Occupational Medicine, it has been revealed that work related stress increases at the time of recession. A group of researchers from the University of Nottingham and University of Ulster conducted interview and also assessed two surveys to reach at above given conclusion.

Lead author Jonathan Houdmont told that they interviewed tens of thousands of civil servants in Northern Ireland and studied surveys of two different years First survey they assessed was of 2005 when recession did not take place. Second time, they assessed survey of 2009 when recession period was over, but economy was still under pressure of it.

There were certain parameters on which interview questions were based and same thing was looked in both the surveys. Some of the many parameters were demand of jobs, control over work and support of seniors at the time of crisis.

Level of work stress during normal days and at the time of recession was also assessed. After studying all the factors, it was revealed that work pressure increased by 40% at the time of economic crisis. Extreme work pressure led them take leaves from their offices and 25% increase in leave applications was found during financial slump.

Houdmont said, “The stark differences in the responses given at these two time points clearly show that national economic crises can have substantial implications for workers’ health and organizational performance”.

Dr. Henry Goodall, who is President of the Society of Occupational Medicine, was of the view that the study is a great example to learn that businesses should engage in occupational-health services. Such services will not disrupt their productivity for a long time.

The main motive of occupational-health provision is that it should help workers at the time of economic crisis, said Goodall.