If you’re one of the at least 105,000 New Zealanders not currently employed, life is tough, but a new study suggests getting a promotion isn’t so flash either – it can be bad for your health.

When people get promoted they suffer about 10% more mental strain on average, and are also less likely to take the time to visit a doctor, according to British researchers at the University of Warwick.

"Getting a promotion at work is not as great as many people think. Our research finds that the mental health of managers typically deteriorates after a job promotion, and in a way that goes beyond merely a short-term change," researcher Chris Boyce said to LiveScience.

"There are no indications of any health improvements for promoted people other than reduced attendance at GP surgeries [i.e. doctors visits], which may itself be something to worry about rather than celebrate."

Stress has previously been shown to be deadly on other studies, raising the risks of anything from the common cold to cancer. Other recent revelations about stress include:

• Job stress in particular has been shown to fuel disease.
• Stress makes us forget things.
• Happily married women suffer less stress.

Following a promotion, people reported a 20% fall in their visits to the doctor (on average) which the researchers figured was due to the sudden lack of time, and stress of the new job.

The researchers used data from an annual survey of Brits which included information about 1,000 people who had suffered promotions. The results will be presented later this month.