A bad atmosphere at work isn't just unpleasant to work in – it can actually increase the likelihood of depression among workers, according to a new study.

Employers in construction businesses are now being warned to tackle stress in the workplace before it becomes a major problem.

New research undertaken by experts at leading training company Pivotal Performance showed that workers who believe there is a poor atmosphere at work are 60% more likely to suffer from depression.

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There was also a 50% greater chance that they would be taking anti-depressants.

Jane Gillham from Pivotal Performance said: "A little bit of stress is necessary for everyone to work properly.

"But when a workplace has a 'bad atmosphere' and no-one wants to be there, the constant stress that puts people under is not healthy at all."

She added: "It is a serious problem, especially as the downturn affects businesses and puts employees under more pressure to perform."

The study was published in the Occupational and Environmental Medicine Journal.

3,000 people were asked about their working environment, access to health services, living arrangements and social lives.

The authors noted that depression and anxiety are common in the working population, and suggested employers to pay more attention to the mental health of their workers.

(PR/BMcC)