Managers should make sure they are helping their staff deal with stressful situations, one expert has claimed.

A spokesperson for the International Stress Management Association explained that firms could face problems if such issues are not dealt with properly.

She said: "Employers can start by accepting that stress is a reality and can result in long absences, if handled badly, serious illness and even death."

By acknowledging stress, staff will feel "valued and heard", she added.

Managers should take the time to speak to employees and find out what they think can be done about the situation, the representative concluded.

The comments follow a study by Chiumento which reveals that only 16 per cent of employees regularly take a proper lunch break due to work pressures.

Separate research by the Stress Management Society found that the condition affects one-fifth of the working population and costs UK industry £3.7 billion each year.

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