Economic volatility has increased pressure on workers, with 61 per cent reporting that they are seeing more stress-related illness since the downturn, reveals the latest survey from Regus, the global workplace provider.

But businesses can help change this trend as employees globally identified flexible working as critical to help ease work-related stress (73 per cent).

Stress-related illness can worsen or cause a whole series of health conditions ranging from obesity to heart disease, Alzheimer’s disease, diabetes, depression, gastrointestinal problems and asthma. Building on Regus research last year, which found that 48 per cent of respondents felt their stress levels had risen in the past year, this latest study found that one- third (34 per cent) of workers are actually losing sleep worrying about work.

The survey, canvassing the opinions of more than 20,000 senior executives and business owners across 95 countries, also found that stress is causing a worrying increase in absenteeism (52 per cent) damaging business productivity as well as worker well-being.

Other outcomes include:

• 37 per cent of respondents are worried about losing their job;

• 42 per cent feel less confident about the sector they work in;

• 40 per cent of respondents report that their family and friends have noticed they are stressed by work;

• 47 per cent say that stress is damaging their co-worker’s personal relationships

Commenting on the study, Regus said: “Difficult economic times in the West and an unprecedented rate of growth in emerging economies have put a strain on businesses and their employees. Workers are expected to do more with less, and this has taken its toll to the point many are close to burnout.

“It’s not surprising that work-related worries, and the sleepless nights they cause, are taking their toll on employees’ personal lives. More importantly still, their health is at stake as stress is a known catalyst for a number of serious illnesses.

“Proactive businesses that address stress in their workforce are likely to end up with a healthier workforce and reduced absenteeism.”