WEST Yorkshire fire chiefs are failing to deal with work-related stress amid a rapid rise in the number of sick days lost due to mental health issues, a hard-hitting report has warned.

A survey of employees has revealed that the number of days lost due to mental health problems has almost doubled, to 3,821, in the space of three years.

There were 94 mental health cases last year, with the average number of working days lost rising to 40 - double the previous year - and costing the service about £800,000 a year.

The survey by university academics revealed that 18 per cent of those surveyed reported being bullied and almost a quarter claimed they had been personally harassed.

Inadequate pay was cited by some as causing them stress.

A report by fire service management has warned: "West Yorkshire Fire and Rescue Service has seen a significant increase in the number of mental ill health cases and associated working days lost to sickness."

It adds: "Some of the results are perhaps understandable given the rate of change in recent times and also the ongoing industrial action.

"However, some are more difficult to understand and some targeted work is required to better understand these issues, before interventions are considered."

The survey concluded that the fire service in West Yorkshire had failed to meet any of the seven Health and Safety Executive standards for the management of work-related stress.

A key finding was that firefighters and watch managers reported being the least informed about organisational changes.

The same group also appeared to be the ones feeling bullied and harassed.

The survey concluded: "Overall, 18 per cent of respondents indicated they were sometimes, often or always bullied at work. This compares to ten per cent in the 2009 survey and is of concern; the industrial action may account for this increase."

Some evidence was found that employees were having problems switching off from work and were at risk of worrying themselves sick at home.

"Some staff may need advice on how to 'switch off'," the report said. "Various strategies such as exercise, meditation, reading, etc, can be helpful."

Of those questioned, 51 per cent were categorised as overweight, with 19 per cent obese, according to their Body Mass Index, a finding which the fire service suggested was "misleading" due to higher muscle mass among fire crews.

Managers are to draw up an action plan to help reduce stress levels.

Fire Brigades Union representatives said staff were under extra pressure due to cuts, longer hours, recent industrial action and worsening pensions.

Paul Drinkwater, chairman of the FBU in West Yorkshire, said: "There have been massive changes to our working practices and people's pay has been squeezed. Longer working hours have been introduced and there are different shift patterns. The industrial dispute didn't help as it was divisive as some took industrial action and others didn't."

On the subject of bullying, Mr Drinkwater said some members had felt "pressure to break the strike" and sickness monitoring procedures had added to staff worries.

He suggested that "bullying by the institution" was a problem rather than bullying by individuals.

"There is still the ghost of a military-type disciplinary system where senior officers think they have the right to shout people down. They would deny this but it still exists."

Mr Drinkwater said too many misdemeanours went through the disciplinary process rather than being resolved less formally by managers.

Cost cutting had meant managers were too busy pushing through changes to worry about staff, he said.

"More than ever before people are seeing the fire service as a temporary job rather than a career, particularly after the squeeze on pensions," said Mr Drinkwater.

A West Yorkshire Fire & Rescue Service spokeswoman said the survey results were similar to other fire and rescue services which had faced the same financial pressures and changes.

"During the past three years, WYFRS has undergone a large reorganisation of fire cover, restructure of back office staff and prolonged strike action.

"It would be remiss of us to ignore the inevitable stress and worry this may cause, which is why we commissioned the survey.

"We accept these factors have taken their toll on our workforce and we are doing everything in our power to prevent stress, support staff and improve well-being."

She said an in-house occupational health unit was supporting employees and there was a free counselling service for all staff.

"We are currently undertaking a comprehensive training programme of all managers in mental health and we have signed up to the charity Mind’s Mindful Employer Scheme.

"We also have an awareness campaign running across all stations and back-office departments promoting the Mind Blue Light Programme, which offers a dedicated blue light emergency service advice line.

"We take bullying and harassment extremely seriously and, when reported, prompt and decisive action will be taken. Such behaviour never has and never will be tolerated."

The reports will be discussed by West Yorkshire Fire Authority's human resources committee at a meeting on December 4.