The data comes from the Order of Portuguese Psychologists (OPP): work-related stress costs Portugal over €300 million per year.
Whether due to the costs of medical treatment for affected workers or the loss of productivity, the truth is that job stress is draining the country’s accounts, claims OPP.
The order’s chief Telmo Moreira Baptista said that 50 – 60% of the working day is usually “wasted” due to work-related stress.
Education and health – especially hospital emergency rooms – are sectors registering the most workers affected by stress.
Worrying about the stability of one’s job or being subjected to intimidation and harassment are some of the main factors that increase workers’ stress, Baptista added.
To tackle the problem, OPP maintains that every company should hire a workplace psychologist.
Only 12.6% of Portuguese companies have a psychologist in their ranks, OPP adds.
