(ANSA) - Rome, December 31 - The overwhelming majority of Italians are stressed in the workplace, according to a new survey by managers' association Manageritalia.

The study said that just 17% of Italian employees suffered no stress at work, with 53% a little stressed, 23% quite stressed and 7% very stressed.

It added that workers aged between 35 and 44 were worst affected, especially women and people with temporary contracts and positions with low job security.

The association said recent changes in working practices should take a big slice of the blame.

''There can be no doubt that changes that have occurred in work organization bring new risks and the need for new solutions,'' said Manageritalia President Lorenzo Guerriero.

''We think that greater use of the telephone and the computer and the lack of movement of workers at desks can affect some people, while the high mobility at work, including trips abroad, can affect others, leading to new health problems and injuries''.

Manageritalia called on Italian companies to do more to tackle the problem, with new regulations that will oblige them to monitor the stress levels of their employees coming into force in the new year.

''Combatting work stress enables companies to lower costs, because this problem often leads to low productivity, wasted time and days off for illness,'' added Guerriero.

''What's more, it also improves the public's health and reduces social costs and this is not a secondary factor.

''It's necessary to go beyond simply respecting the law to improve this and this is where managers have a key role''.