More recruits needed in the war on stress (From Cotswold Journal)

More recruits needed in the war on stress

6:10am Wednesday 25th July 2012 in Business

WORCESTER corporate massage specialists ‘Hands on at Work’ is to recruit more staff after a surge in business as more bosses call in the firm to reduce tension and stress among their workforce.

The business, which launched two years ago, is the brainchild of owner Kathy Scott, a therapy specialist who saw a large gap in the market during her previous career as a legal executive. Over the past six months the company has seen a 25 per cent increase in new customers, the strongest period of growth since the 2010 launch and Mrs Scott aims to double the number over the next 12 months.

Worcester therapist’s success follows recent statistics published by the Health and Safety Executive. Its poll highlighted stress as the single biggest cause of sickness across Britain, with more than 105 million days lost to stress each year – a cost of £1.2m billion to employers.

Mrs Scott said it was clear the message was getting through to firms across the city that relaxed workers are far more productive and happier. She added: “I worked in a stressful environment for 15 years but decided to leave to try and make a successful business from my passion for massage and therapy. “It was a leap of faith but I am delighted how businesses have embraced the concept.”