Public sector staff are experiencing high level of stress, but many managers are failing to address the issue.

A survey by the British Heart Foundation revealed that 52 per cent of government workers rated their daily stress levels as five out of ten or above. Respondents reported that stress from work spilled over into their home life and free time. More than a third claimed stress from work made them feel more tired than usual, and over a quarter said they find it difficult to sleep.

The survey also showed that 40 percent of staff working in Government and public services say managers don’t care about happiness and wellbeing in the workplace. The survey also shows that 59 per cent claim that their workplace doesn’t offer any opportunities to get fit and healthy.

Over 2000 workers from bankers to healthcare professionals were surveyed for Health at Work. Over 100 surveyed were people working in government and public services and their responses reflect the national results.

The BHF is calling on the managers across Britain to help get their employees fit and healthy. When it comes to thinking about health, the heart is the best place to start and a few small changes can make a huge difference. It is urging people working in Government and public services to think more about workplace health and encourage their organisations to join the BHF’s free Health at Work programme.

Lisa Purcell, Project Manager for Health at Work at the BHF said: “These survey results paint a worrying picture of workplace health and wellbeing. Many of us spend 60 per cent of our waking hours at work and the daily grind can have a serious impact on the health of workers across the UK.

She added: “In the current financial climate it’s clear that the focus must be on productivity. But employers must realise that a healthy workforce is key to less stress, better team work and improved motivation, which results in increased productivity and fewer sick days.