Masseuses relieving workplace stress

An increasing number of Nelson businesses and public organisations are turning to workplace massage to relieve employee stress and counter occupational over-use syndrome (OOS).

Many either pay for or subsidise workplace massage, or allow staff to pay for the service but have it administered on the company's time.

Commerce Nelson chief executive Sharon McGuire said it employed a massage therapist to treat eight workers about once a month.

Department of Conservation spokeswoman Nicki Fuller said about 10 staff received a free 10-minute massage once a fortnight, at a total cost of $120.

"Most staff do not suffer from OOS but sometimes get OOS-type symptoms such as sore shoulders and forearms, and the massage really helps those symptoms."

Cawthron Institute acting chief executive Nico van Loon said up to seven scientists who used microscopes for long periods were allowed workplace massage.