Stress levels are rising across the globe, with almost six in 10 workers in key global economies experiencing a rise in workplace stress over the past two years.

Australians, however, have experienced a lower rise in stress, with only 55 per cent of workers reporting that their levels of stress had grown “higher” or “much higher” over the past two years, reveals a recent global survey by Regus. However, stress is still having a huge impact on business. A recent study from Medibank found that workplace stress is costing the Australian economy $14.2 billion a year, and Australian workers miss an average 3.2 working days a year because they are too stressed to function.

“Stress in the workforce can provide companies with real problems: management and work productivity can be seriously impaired, motivation levels may be damaged, and conflict between colleagues can undermine professionalism,” said William Willems, regional vice president, South East Asia, The Regus Group. “With any of these factors in play, companies will see damage to bottom-line commercial and financial results. At a time when firms are fighting to return to significant growth, managing stress becomes a crucial issue.”