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One in 10 workers has taken time off because of depression, a poll of 7,000 people in seven European countries has found.



The Mori survey was carried out for the European Depression Association (EDA) in Britain, Germany, Italy, Denmark, Turkey, Spain and France. It found that those in Britain, Denmark and Germany were most likely to be off work because of depression.



Overall, 20 per cent of the 7,000 polled had received a diagnosis of depression at some point in their lives. The highest rate was in Britain, where 26 per cent had been diagnosed and the lowest in Italy, where the figure was 12 per cent.



Among workers experiencing depression, those in Germany (61 per cent), Denmark (60 per cent), and Britain (58 per cent) were most likely to take time off work, while those in Turkey were the least likely (25 per cent).



Researchers have previously estimated the cost of depression at €92bn (£73bn) in 2010 across the EU, with lost productivity due to time off or under-performance accounting for most of the costs.



An average of 36 days were taken for the last episode of depression – but figures ranged from 41 in Britain to 23 in Italy.



Across the countries surveyed, one in four of with depression said they did not tell their employer. One in three of them said they were worried it could put their job at risk.



A third of the 792 managers surveyed said they had no formal support in place to help them deal with employees experiencing depression. But the situation was better in Britain, with most of the 117 managers questioned reporting good back-up from their HR department.



EDA President, Dr Vincenzo Costigliola, said: "The results of the survey show that much needs to be done in raising awareness and supporting employees and employers in recognising and managing depression in the workplace.



"We ask policy makers to consider the impact of depression on the workforce and charge them with addressing depression and workers and workplace safety."



UNI Global P&M President, Ulf Bengtsson, has called for better support and protection for workers, especially highly skilled workers.



He said: "Depression in the workplace is an employment and societal challenge that is causing serious damage and which requires attention and action from both unions as well as political and welfare institutions."



UNI Global P&M Director, Pav Akhtar, who is British and has been coordinating UNI’s Work-Life Management campaign said the situation in the UK was improving.



"We have moved forward significantly. Depression and stress is being talked about more and is more widely recognised. GPs are more receptive.



"In addition, employers are increasingly coming to groups like trade unions and asking us to help them provide support and negotiate policies that reduce the risk of stressful working which can lead to depression, as well as identifying support plans that allow workers to go through this illness like they would any other.”



More details about UNI’s Work-Life Management campaign, which runs from 7-20 October, can be found at: http://www.uniglobalunion.org/Blogs/wlmgt.nsf/