Irish workers are twice as stressed since 2010

The level of work stress among the Irish has more than doubled in five years.

A new study by the Health and Safety Authority indicates that work stress went from 8% in 2010 to 17% in 2015.

This ESRI study indicates that stress at work is highest in the health sector with 18% of workers affected.

Public administration and manufacturing personnel had the highest levels of stress.

Working with emotional demands such as dealing with angry clients or with clients has proven to be the most stressful factor.

And people working more than 40 hours a week were twice as likely to be stressed than those working less than 40 hours.

Delays, intimidation, harbadment and discrimination have also contributed to stress in the workplace.

According to ESRI, the problem will only worsen as Irish businesses turn more to services, and urgent action is required to solve the problem.