Firms attacked for not tackling stress

Workplace stress is a problem in nine out of ten organisations, according to a survey to be published by the Industrial Society highlighting the cost to business.

Managers believe stress has become an integral part of most jobs, which is "deeply disturbing", according to Tony Morgan, chief executive of the society. "Firms are doing dangerously little to tackle the problem," he said

"The damaging flu epidemic now afflicting the UK is nothing compared with the cost to business of the stress epidemic," he said at an industrial journalism awards ceremony, sponsored by Texaco.

Mr Morgan also said a radical solution, such as appraisal by employees or even customers, was needed to defuse the continuing controversy over executive pay.

t The industrial journalism award winner for national newspapers was Robert Taylor, of the Financial Times. The regional winner was Peter Cunliffe, of the Yorkshire Post.