The workplace illness "sick building syndrome" is a hallmark of job stress and poor management rather than an unhealthy environment, research suggests.

Sick building syndrome describes a cluster of symptoms affecting the eyes, head, nose, throat and skin, all of which have been associated with the physical properties of office buildings.

The researchers surveyed more than 4,000 civil servants aged between 42 and 62, working in 44 different buildings across London.

They were asked questions about their working environment and job pressures, including levels of support at work.

The results showed that women tended to have higher rates of sick building syndrome symptoms than men, and symptom rates fell with increasing age.

Overall, one in seven of the men and around one in five of the women reported five or more symptoms of the syndrome.

Previous studies have suggested that high levels of symptoms were associated with temperatures outside the recommended range, poor relative humidity, airborne bacteria and dust.

Dr Mai Stafford, University College London:"Our findings suggest that, in this sample of office based workers, physical attributes of buildings have a small influence on symptoms."

But in the current study lower levels of symptoms were reported in buildings with poor air circulation and unacceptable levels of carbon dioxide, noise, fungus and volatile organic compounds.

According to the research team, the most significant factor associated with symptoms was high job demands and low levels of support in the workplace.

Lead researcher Dr Mai Stafford, from University College London, said: "Our findings suggest that, in this sample of office based workers, physical attributes of buildings have a small influence on symptoms.

"Higher levels of symptom reporting seem to be due less to poor physical conditions than to a working environment characterised by poor psychosocial conditions.

"When sick building syndrome symptoms come to light, managers should consider causes beyond the physical design and operation of the workplace…to include the organisation of work roles and the autonomy of the workforce."

Sick building syndrome costs UK businesses millions of pounds every year in lost productivity and sickness.

The study is published in the journal Occupational and Environmental Medicine journal.