Young employees feeling the effects of stress

More than 2.4 million young British workers aged 18-29 are suffering from stress and believe that their bosses are pressuring them to bear the brunt of recovery from recession, new research from research firm, GfK NOP Engage, suggests.

The study, part of a global report carried out among 30,000 workers in 29 countries around the world, reveals that two-fifths of UK employees aged 18-29 feel frequently or always stressed at work. This was in contrast to the nation’s oldest workers, with just one in four of those in their 60s frequently or always feeling stressed.

Nearly one in three of those aged 18-29 feel stressed, due to lack of resources to do their jobs effectively or coming under pressure to work long hours.

More than 1.5 million young British workers (25%) admit that they are frequently or nearly always affected by the toll work takes on their physical health, while two-fifths (39%) feel that their work–life balance is frequently or nearly always a concern.

Sukhi Ghataore, Director at GfK NOP Engage, said:

"Businesses that view young staff as cheap and expendable may well come to count the cost. In the UK, we have a recognised ageing population and so the younger generations are becoming exponentially more important in the workplace, as well as to the nation – they are not only companies’ future talent, but also represent the future financial stability of Britain. It is therefore crucial that they are nurtured, to encourage maximum productivity and retention.

"On the one hand, a largely disengaged workforce has an immediate, negative impact on productivity and morale, and it has a longer term impact on recruitment and retention.

"On the other hand, we have a precious core of young British workers who class themselves as ‘highly engaged’ with their employers. These need to be identified and their talents carefully managed, to harvest their drive and potential. Engaged workers want their employer to succeed, want to remain with them, and want to go the extra mile. During tough times, engaged employees and a united workforce are a necessity, not a luxury.”