LONDON -- Stress seems to be the most common reason for absence from work. Stress at work is not a new phenomenon, but in the past it was often called something else, such as exhaustion. In the worst cases, it led to what was termed a nervous breakdown. Some of the tougher or macho bosses regarded such ailments as a sign of character weakness and would regard a note from the doctor ascribing sickness to "stress" as simple malingering. "Keep a stiff upper lip" or "pull yourself together" were the favorite rebukes to sufferers.

Now, fortunately, there is a wider recognition that stress is a phenomenon that needs to be dealt with sympathetically and humanely, not only for the health of the sufferer but also for efficiency at work. Someone who cannot concentrate as a result of stress will be a drag on any organization, but it would be a loss to dismiss or retire someone who has been trained, is experienced and still has potential. Yet there are too many organizations that fail to act with common sense and understanding to remove, or at least mitigate, the causes of stress in their workforce.

One cause of stress among employees is excessive working hours, which destroy family life and social relationships. Another cause is a bad working environment, but perhaps the most serious cause is bullying and unfair treatment at work.