Allianz is urging brokers to take note of new figures released by the Health & Safety Executive (HSE) which estimate that stress, depression or anxiety accounted for 237,000 new cases of work-related illness in 2007/08.

The Labour Force Survey records self-reported work-related illness and workplace injuries. In 2007/08 an estimated 442,000 people in Great Britain, who worked in the last year, believed that they were suffering from stress, depression or anxiety caused or made worse by their current or past work.

All employers have legal responsibility under the Health and Safety at Work Act 1974 and Management of Health and Safety at Work Regulations 1999 to ensure the health safety and welfare at work of their employees. This includes minimising the risk of stress-related illness or injury to employees.

Banu Gajendran, health and safety manager, said: "In the insurance industry, brokers can play a crucial role in helping to ensure that clients comply with the regulations, improve safety and reduce risks in the workplace."

She adds: "A total of 13.5 million working days were lost to work-related stress, depression and anxiety in 2007/08. It is a major cause of occupational ill health resulting in sickness absence, high staff turnover and poor performance for organisations."

In March 2009 the HSE launched a campaign aimed at prevent work-related stress and ensuring that businesses comply with the law, for more information please visit www.hse.gov.uk/stress.

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