EMPLOYERS need to do more to help stressed workers during the downturn, a North- East insurance broker has warned.

As fears over job cuts and the cost of living rise, stress and anxiety levels among workforces are also likely to escalate.

According to the Health and Safety Executive, nearly 14 million working days were lost because of stress, anxiety and depression in 2006-7, which equates to a loss of £3bn to businesses.

Darlington-based BiB Insurance, which advises businesses on a range of issues, is encouraging firms to place greater emphasis on dealing with the complex problem.

Last year’s Employee Benefits/ HSA Healthcare survey found that only 37 per cent of employers had policies in place to aid stressed workers.

Brian Jackson, BiB director, said: “The figure is alarmingly low, particularly as stress could really take hold among a workforce during times of recession.

“This can be extremely costly when you consider the number of working days lost, a drop in morale and productivity and, potentially the most expensive problem of all, employers facing legal action for breaching their duty of care.”

Employers are obliged to assess the risk of stress-related ill health arising from their work, while the Health and Safety at Work Act 1974 also lays out requirements.

Mr Jackson said: “Now, more than ever, businesses really need to have a detailed strategy in place that will help them deal with stressed employees.”