A new drive to tackle soaring levels of stress in the workplace has been launched amid growing research showing how much pressure was being placed on staff.

Employers were urged to tackle the problem as unions and campaign groups supported National Stress Awareness Day.

Studies showed that the economic downturn was forcing many people to work longer hours or even take on a second job, leading to higher stress levels.

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 of those polled said they felt more run down, stressed and prone to illness than they did 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, with people working and worrying more.

“These are tense times, and working longer – often for little or no financial reward – will add to people’s stress levels.”

Research for the TUC showed that stress or overwork was a concern at most workplaces, making it the most commonly reported safety hazard, especially in central government or in large workplaces.

General secretary Brendan Barber said: “As the recession starts to bite, stress is likely to increase even more.

“Employers who tackle stress at work can improve their staff ’s health and wellbeing, and boost productivity. In these trying economic times, it’s vital that employers and unions work together to reduce stress at work.”

The Shaw Trust charity, which helps people with a disability or disadvantage find work, said a survey of 1,000 adults showed that graduate entry level employees suffered the most stress.

Managing director Tim Cooper said graduate workers were particularly susceptible to stress, adding: “They may be entering full time employment for the first time and will often be reporting in to a number of managers which can lead to difficulties in terms of managing workloads and meeting deadlines.”

The Chartered Institute of Environmental Health has launched a qualification for workers to help combat stress.