The deadline for companies to enter Yakult's Healthy Workplace Awards is fast approaching and time is running out for Ireland's healthiest workplace to win a prize worth €4,000.

According to research published by Yakult, over a third (40 per cent) of the Irish work force admits to suffering from work related stress. In response, Yakult's Healthy Workplace Awards 2008 will raise public awareness regarding the negative impact of stress in the workplace.

Volume of workload (28 per cent) and lack of teamwork/support (27 per cent) are cited as the key aspects likely to cause stress. The results showed that 37 per cent of those surveyed believe that absenteeism due to stress related illnesses has increased in their place of work, with a shocking 60 per cent stating that their workplace does little to promote health and wellness amongst staff.

To reward organisations that are actively investing in, and promoting employee health, Yakult, the probiotic expert, has re-launched the Yakult Healthy Workplace Awards and nominations are now being sought to find Ireland's healthiest workplace.

The Yakult Healthy Workplace Awards are open to any organisation in Ireland, large or small, that believes it has a healthy attitude to employee health or is making efforts to improve the health of its workforce. Closing date for receipt of entries is 30 May 2008 with winning entries selected by a panel of independent adjudicators.

Expert Jim Ronan, Managing Director of Stresscare and one of the judges, comments; "Occupational stress is on the increase worldwide. While everyone can admit to feeling stressed at work on occasions, very few people perhaps are aware of just how stressed they are. Longer hours, new roles, constantly changing technology and methods of communication can strain the best of us and the impact of stress can often be cloaked in other symptoms such as back, neck and shoulder pain, headaches, dizziness and even digestive problems for example.

"It is important that employers recognise the damage that occupational stress can cause and employers have an obligation to protect their workers from stress in the workplace. Unresolved stress can often lead to unnecessary mistakes which can be costly. In addition, people who are overstretched are more accident prone which can lead to time off work.

"Likewise, it is important that workers take better action to counteract the effects of stress by looking after themselves, taking regular breaks and meals and sharing feelings with people close to them."

For full information on the awards or to nominate an organisation, simply visit www.healthyworkawards.ie.

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