Voicing worries over centre staff (From The Wiltshire Gazette and Herald)

Voicing worries over centre staff

CALL centre workers are suffering from a new industrial disease which is putting their livelihoods at risk.

The union Unison has warned that voice loss among the UK's 860,000 call centre workers costs the country £200 million a year a figure set to double in the next decade, according to general secretary Dave Prentis.

The union has demanded regular breaks for workers and easy access to fresh drinking water and rest for staff with a cold or sore throat.

"Call centres are a voice-driven industry and employers need to protect that most precious asset now,' said Unison

The union says voice loss threatens the livelihood of one in 50 call centre workers, and workers are unable to carry on for fear of losing their voice altogether so leave to find other jobs.

In Swindon there are large call centres at Nationwide Building Society, fleet management firm Arval and Zurich Financial Services.