Offering supportive employee services could be an important way of helping personnel cope with workplace stress, as one expert has advised staff members to reach out to mentors and bosses if they feel they need to.

Chartered psychologist Sue Firth told people they should talk about their troubles if they are feeling under strain.

This could be a key time for individuals to look for support, as many are currently worrying about the security of their roles, while new research has also revealed pressure from jobs is a problem for more employees now than 60 years ago.

To mark the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee year, the Chartered Institute of Personnel and Development commissioned a Work Audit investigating how the work situation of Britons has changed since the monarch’s coronation in 1952.

Although job satisfaction was found to be higher than it was 60 years ago, the latter decades of Elizabeth II’s reign have seen increased levels of stress among personnel.

This may be a pattern noticed by employers and it is an issue frequently cited in reports on sickness absence, which may make it a wise investment for businesses to add mentoring services to their employee benefits package.

Ms Firth urged workers feeling under strain to speak to such a professional or to their boss about their difficulties or to look for support from colleagues.

She also suggested people talk to friends and family in order to communicate their problems with others.

“For a lot of people, the fear is the worse thing and once they face that they can feel better,” the expert stated. “Chat honestly and openly to your loved ones about how you would cope if things were to get really difficult, or worse case scenario.”

The specialist also suggested individuals make sure they get plenty of sleep, as it is easier to cope when feeling rested.