TUC warns of record work-related stress across UK workplaces

Britain’s workplaces are facing a work-related stress crisis, according to research from the Trades Union Congress (TUC), which shows stress has become the most widespread health and safety risk for workers.

The TUC’s 15th biennial survey of more than 2,700 union safety representatives found that almost eight in 10 (79%) cited stress as a major concern in their workplace – the highest level ever recorded.

Stress was identified as the top hazard in every region and almost every sector, with particularly high levels reported in central and local government, health, education and the voluntary sector.

Workload was the second most frequently cited issue, raised by 60% of respondents, with many reps warning that excessive workloads are driving stress to unprecedented levels.

The survey also found widespread failures by employers to assess or address stress risks, with two thirds of reps saying they were unaware of any stress risk assessment taking place.

Nearly half (43%) said they had not been consulted at all on their employer’s risk assessment process.

The findings are reinforced by new Health and Safety Executive (HSE) figures for 2024/25, which show record levels of work-related stress, depression and anxiety.

The number of workers reporting stress-related ill health rose from 776,000 in 2023 to 964,000 in 2024, while 22 million working days were lost to stress over the year.

The TUC said the figures highlight both the human and economic cost of failing to manage stress at work, and is calling for stronger enforcement of existing health and safety law, increased funding for the HSE, action to reduce excessive workloads and stronger rights for safety representatives.

Paul Nowak, general secretary of the TUC, said: “These findings expose a growing national crisis. Stress is now entrenched as the biggest health and safety issue facing working people, and the situation is getting worse.

“No worker should find themselves lying awake at night from stress. But too many employers are ignoring the law, failing to assess stress risks, and piling impossible workloads onto staff. Workers are burning out, and they are paying with their health.

“Employers and managers need to do more to identify and reduce risks and to provide support to employees struggling to cope.

“It is vital that we now implement the Employment Rights Act quickly and in full, so that we can improve employment standards and create happier, healthier and more productive workplaces.”