STRESSED employees should be given time and space to read a book during work hours to help calm them down and boost productivity, it has been claimed.
Businesses should also appoint reading ambassadors to help make literature and reading a normal part of every working day, says Scotland's Book Trust.
The Scottish Book Trust, led by Marc Lambert, believes firms should create spaces where employees are allowed to read in peace, and also be given time in the day to read, if they want to get the best out of their workers
Mr Lambert is also urging businesses to create a book swap box system where employees can leave books and recommendations.
Reading reducing stress levels, the Trust said, with stress now one of the biggest forms of sickness in the UK, costing the economy millions of pounds in lost productivity.
They say businesses will also benefit as employees will develop greater empathy and analytical skills.
His advice comes at the start of Book Week Scotland which begins with several events across the country, involving writers such as Val McDermid, Michel Faber and AL Kennedy.
More than 300,000 books will be given away as part of the celebrations.
It also involves the creation of four new "Reading Communities" in Dalmuir, Craigmillar, Shetland and Thurso.
Mr Lambert, chief executive of the book trust, said: "Parents, carers, schools and libraries do a fantastic job of promoting the joy of reading, but the question remains – can we do more to make books and reading a part of everyday life for everyone?
"Each area will be led and nurtured by a dedicated Reading Champion and supported financially and practically for nine months by Scottish Book Trust, with the purpose of enthusing local residents about books and making reading a fun, visible part of the community."
He added: "But to truly embed a love of books in people right across the country, we need to create a culture of reading at every level in society.
"And that is why I want to launch a specific call to action to businesses and organisations today: appoint your own company Reading Ambassador, with the task of making books and reading a normal part of the working day.
"The reasons to do this are plentiful – research shows that stress affects one in five of the working population, and is now the single biggest cause of sickness in the UK, yet we know that reading for just six minutes can reduce your stress levels by up to 68 per cent.
"It also helps to boost your analytical thinking, empathy levels and vocabulary."
More than 450 author events will take place this week, and events in locations such as Edinburgh's trams, as well as appearances from Paula Hawkins, Ian Rankin, Diana Gabaldon and Neil Oliver.
During the week 150,000 free copies of a short story and poem collection written by Scottish people, Journeys, will be handed out in libraries, bookshops and other outlets.
Audio and ebook versions will be available to download from www.bookweekscotland.com.
Free picture books will be gifted to every Primary 1 pupil in Scotland: Never Tickle a Tiger by Pamela Butchart and Marc Boutavant, Wanted! Ralfy Rabbit Book Burglar by Emily MacKenzie and Mouse’s First Night at Moonlight School by Simon Puttock and Ali Pye.
Fiona Hyslop, culture secretary, said: "The creation of Reading Communities in Scotland, with the support of dedicated Reading Champions, will provide a targeted approach in 4 areas that will create an opportunity to really focus engagement and encourage reading."
Amina Shah, chief executive of the Scottish Library and Information Council (SLIC) said: "There is a growing body of evidence that demonstrates the positive impact of reading for pleasure on wellbeing.
"With this in mind, we fully endorse the call to action by the Scottish Book Trust for employers to encourage more reading for pleasure."
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