FIRMS in Lancashire were today urged to monitor absence rates after a new report showed stress and low morale were "hidden problems" in the workplace.

Managers believed that emotional and personal problems as well as stress were the main reasons for absence from work.

But these problems were well down a list of reasons for absence recorded on self-certification forms.

The Industrial Society said its research suggested that for many people, working life was too pressurised.

Absences cost the UK economy about £13billion a year, with employees taking an average of eight days off sick each year.

Workers should be trained to recognise signs of stress and be offered help, said the Industrial Society.

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