Ryan FowlerBusinessComparison’s latest research has uncovered the sectors and industries facing the highest and lowest levels of work-related stress in the UK, providing valuable insights for business owners and workers alike. The study, which surveyed British workers across all industries, found that an average of 12.5% of workers report experiencing stress, highlighting the pervasive issue of work-related stress and its detrimental effects on health, workplace morale, and productivity.
Philip Brennan, Founder and MD of BusinessComparison, sheds light on the findings: “Our new research has revealed some useful insights into which professions are most likely to experience work-related stress. Business owners who run a customer-facing company should definitely be aware of the high risk of stress for them and their employees – at 27% affected by stress, they have the highest level of stress of all the professions we researched.”
Brennan emphasizes the importance of addressing workplace stress not only as an ethical obligation but as a sound business practice, recommending resources such as the NHS’s work-related stress page for guidance.
Highest Stress Occupations
The study identified customer service occupations as the most stressed, with 27% of respondents in this sector reporting stress. Following close behind were service occupations (23.6%), cleaning occupations (22.9%), and storage occupations (21.7%), with web and multimedia design professions rounding out the top five at 20.9%.
Lowest Stress Occupations
On the other end of the spectrum, production managers and directors reported the lowest stress levels, with only 4% experiencing stress. Science, engineering, and production technicians (5.6%), managers and proprietors in health and care services (5%), and those in sports and fitness occupations (6.5%) also reported lower stress levels.
The research also delves into how stress levels in these professions have changed over the last five years, highlighting the impact of events such as the Covid-19 pandemic and economic pressures like inflation on occupational stress.
Regional Stress Levels
The study further examines stress levels across UK regions, finding Northern Ireland to be the most stressed at 17.7%, significantly above the UK average. London, the East Midlands, Scotland, and Yorkshire and Humberside also reported higher than average stress levels, while the North East, South West, and South East were among the least stressed regions.
Brennan concludes: “It’s clear to see that some work-related stress is caused by nationwide events such as Covid-19 and increased costs caused by inflation. However, the fact that some occupations are more stressed than others is significant. It means that, as employers, there is a responsibility to assess any risk factors in your industry that could lead to you or your employees experiencing stress or burnout – it’s harmful for business, and for individual wellbeing.”
