Work related stress, its causes and consequences are all very common in the 15 European Union Member States. More than half of the 160 million workers report working very quickly (56%), and to tight deadlines (60%). More than one third have no influence on task order; 40% report having monotonous tasks. Such work-related “stressors” are likely to have contributed to the present spectrum of ill health: 15% of the work force complains of headache; 23% of neck and shoulder pains; 23% of fatigue; 28% of ‘stress’, and 33% of backache. They also contribute to many other diseases, even to life-threatening ones. (European Foundation, 2001)

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