The body says the findings of the survey, by the Stroke Association, must be put into context and insists recruitment can be an "extremely rewarding" profession.
According to the research, 82 per cent of recruitment consultants regularly feel stressed as a result of their jobs. But the REC claims its own surveys show that just over three quarter of employees in the recruitment industry are satisfied with their jobs.
Kevin Green, chief executive of the REC, says it would be surprising if recruitment consultants did not experience some level of stress at some point, since the industry is very fast-paced and requires a high level of skills.
However, he points out: "The key is to make sure that this is managed and that recruiters have access to the kind of training and qualifications that enable them to excel within a key engine room of the UK economy."
The Stroke Association’s survey also revealed that 47 per cent of employees under stress deal with it by getting angry.
