The National Union of Journalists is stepping up its campaign on stress in the workplace by seeking a meeting with industry bosses on the issue.

At its recent annual delegate meeting, the union’s national executive was instructed to develop a campaign highlighting mental health issues at the workplace, and to prepare a “stress-busting” programme to be presented to employers as a matter of urgency.

Speakers told the gathering that “long hours, continuous intensive working, excessive workloads and sky-high stress levels have become endemic in the industry.”

NUJ leaders are now seeking a meeting with the Newspaper Society to discuss the matter.