According to the Health and Safety Executive, more than 530,000 people reported work-related stress in 2006/2007 – a period of industrial boom – and this is set to rocket as the predicted recession takes hold.

More and more, companies are experiencing losses in manpower and revenue as a direct result of employee stress, and are turning to relatively new methods such as Employee Assistance Programmes (EAPs) to reduce the burden on their staff.

The Health & Safety at Work Act 1974 requires employers to secure the health and safety and welfare, including emotional welfare, of employees while at work.

A local company offers business owners a solution, a tax efficient one that should save companies money, according to director Trevor Harrison, pictured.

Trevor set up the company with wife Karen – they met when working in the volunteer service – four years ago combining their counselling and mediation skills; Trevor is an ACAS-trained mediator.

In Balance, based at Crowland, near Peterborough, offers a suite of services, which can swiftly and effectively alleviate the stress experienced by employees – and their families – and greatly reduce the impact of those lost days on a company's bottom line.

In Balance serves the Greater Peterborough area and surrounding regions, and is suited to provide local businesses programmes that will ensure maximum productivity and continue success by supporting businesses' most valuable asset, their people.

The company tailor makes business owners a unique and comprehensive Employee Assistance Programme.

Trevor said: "It is bespoke to their needs, and can improve morale, reduce time and money lost to sickness, and protect business owners and managers from potentially costly litigation.

"One-to-one staff support, mediation services, training and company welfare checks are just a few of the the services on offer," added Trevor.

In Balance has eight team leaders who specialise in various areas such as health and safety, human resources, and disciplinary procedures.

For more details, call Trevor on 01733 212312 or 07930 761768 direct. Alternatively, visit www.inbalance.org.uk