Stress is still the biggest problem facing UK workplaces, with excessive workloads, job cuts and rapid change the most common triggers for rising stress levels among employees, according to research from the Trades Union Congress.

The figures, released for tomorrow's International Stress Awareness Day, show that 61% found stress to be their most pressing concern at work. Two years ago when the TUC last carried out its survey, 58% of reps cited stress as the number one hazard at work. This was up from 56% in 2002. 

 London is the most stressed out part of the UK, closely followed by the North-West, where 65% said it was their biggest problem.

And stress seems to be more of an issue in larger workplaces.

TUC general secretary Brendan Barber says: “Stress is a preventable problem and UK employers simply aren't doing enough to minimise its impact. People who suffer from stress aren't wimps, and their symptoms can make them really ill. Stressed out employees are more likely to experience weight loss, high blood pressure, depression and even heart attacks.

“With time taken off work because of stress costing UK businesses some £3.7bn a year, it makes no sense for employers to be ignoring the problem.”

When asked what were the factors most likely to lead to problems with stress at work, 76% said that excessive workloads were to blame. Other issues cited include cuts in staffing levels (57%), rapid change (53%), long hours working (34%) and bullying (33%).