A DRIVE to tackle soaring levels of stress in the workplace was launched today amid research showing the credit crunch was putting extra pressure on staff.

The warning came as it emerged that employers are looking for advice on cutting jobs or slashing workers' hours.

One of the main manufacturing associations - the Engineering Employers' Federation - reported it is receiving 40 calls a day to its helplines seeking assistance on making cuts. Anthony Lloyd, employee law director at EEF, said: "This is much more sudden and much deeper than other downturns."

Allianz, the insurance group, said its legal helpline was receiving a record number of similar calls - about 70 to 80 a day. "This is three times the level of 12 months ago," said David Vine, at Allianz Legal Protection.

A slew of studies timed to coincide with National Stress Awareness Day today showed the downturn was forcing many employees to work longer hours or take on a second job.

Finance giant Friends Provident said a survey of 2,700 adults showed an average working week of 43.5 hours in the UK, five hours more than in France. Almost two thirds said they felt more run down, stressed and prone to illness than three years ago, with many putting in seven hours of unpaid overtime a week.

Mark Jones of Friends Provident, said: "Our research shows the credit crunch is having serious implications on the nation's workforce."

Research for the TUC showed stress or overwork was the most commonly reported safety hazard, especially in large workplaces. General secretary Brendan Barber said: "Employers that tackle stress at work can improve their staff's health and wellbeing, and boost productivity."

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