WORKPLACE stress is damaging the health of local bosses, according to a survey.

Almost three quarters of executives questioned in the North West said stress affected their health, happiness and home life.

But less than a third of managers said they thought their health and well-being were taken seriously by their employer.

Symptoms of stress reported included excessive tiredness, disturbed sleep, short temper, and headaches.

Causes include excessive pressure and bullying from senior executives.

Almost half of stressed executives said they resorted to alcohol as a way of reducing stress.

The survey carried out by the Institute of Management found that fewer than one in ten organisations had carried out any form of audit to find out if stress affected their employees. "Unhealthy people are bad for business so organisations and individuals need to take a two- pronged approach to tackling workplace stress," said Christine Hayhurst of the institute.

"Companies need to respond to requests from employees for help in deal with stress but in the long term they need to work together to develop working practices that address the underlying causes of it."