How stressed are workers in the UK in 2024?

According to current HSE Statistics more than 49% of those suffering from a work related illness in the UK is due to stress,anxiety or depression. In numbers, that equates to approximately 875,000 people out of the 1.8 million people who are reported to be suffering from a work related illness right now.  According to Champion Health; 76% of those surveyed report to suffer from moderate to high levels of stress. 37% experience negative stress at work. 33% report that high levels of stress impact productivity and of those under stress, 73% cite workload as the cause of negative stress.

Working and living in the fast moving 21st century can be challenging for all of us. This pace of life suits many people, however for concerning numbers, as the statistics suggest, are not coping well.  Not only is this worrying from a human perspective, the problem of increasing stress, anxiety and depression suffered by many in the UK is actually affecting businesses in every industry.  

Work-Related Stress

Negative stress that harms is often misunderstood. The 'stress' response that we all experience is what gets us up in the morning, helps us meet challenges as we work through our day, dissipates as we go into relaxation mode, rests as we take restorative sleep, and starts all over each morning. This kind of stress is POSITIVE and healthy. However, if we experience the stress response too often or for too long, then we are in danger of suffering from the harmful affects of negative stress.

Case study of an ordinary person's day who is living in the fast moving 21st Century 

• Sally's alarm goes off ot 6.45 a.m. and the stress response gives her a healthy boost of energy to get up and ready for the day ahead.
• From sleep, the transition to meeting home challenges such as; breakfast, making school lunches, making sure the P.E. kit and homework are in the schoolbag, (0-60 in 60 seconds)!
• Sally hops into the car which is covered in ice and needs to be defrosted!
• She goes back into the house for a kettle of warm water to throw over the windows, leave it back in the house and lock up and away we go.
• Traffic bumper to bumper the whole way to school and kids bickering in the back seat.
• School drop-off complete, but only have 15 minutes to make the 45 minute commute to work!!!!  - STRESS response hits again.  (stress response - fight or flight, which is not going to help in this situation) Now there are two ways this could affect, Sally, she might accept that she is going to be late, put the radio on and chill. Or she could become anxious, nervous and overwhelmed.  The latter response has the potential to cause harmful stress.
• Sally arrives at the office and the lady on reception says 'the boss wants to see you as soon as you come in' Perception: trouble! Reaction (stress)
• The boss doesn't say anything about the time, however he needs important work to be done by lunchtime and Sally feels pressured and anxious. (more stress)
• Messages buzzing on her phone are putting her on edge and taking her concentration off the job in hand, which is keeping her back and causing anxiety (stress)
• Because she was late for work, she feels that she should eat lunch at her desk, which doen't give that precious time to unwind (stress keeps right on going)
• Somehow Sally gets through the day, however many small tasks have not been completed and they are still on her mind during the drive home. (more stress)
• By some small miracle the kids have their homework done and making dinner goes well  (reduction of stress at last)
• At 10.30 p.m. everything is done and dusted and it is off to bed.
• Sally wakens at 2.30 am worrying about all of the tasks she didn't get done yesterday and she can't get back to sleep. She is awake when the 6.45 am alarm goes off (and already suffering from too much stress)

The case study above is common to someone who perhaps does not work in an industry that is considered stressful. The following industries include those people who may be exposed to extremely high levels of work related stress. This list is not exhaustive and it is acknowledged that a great many occupations expose workers to high levels of harmful stress. 

Potentially stressful occupations in the UK

• Teachers
• Customer Service
• Health professionals
• Construction
• Armed forces
• Police
• Prison officers
• People who work in retail
• People working in I.T.

The legal duty to provide a mentally and physically Safe Place of Work

Although employers cannot possibly be expected to provide substantial help for those suffering from non-work related issues, many caring employers will provide support and advice for their team. All employer however must provide a physically and mentally safe place of work so far as is reasonably practicable, as required in law under the Health and Safety at Work Act 1974. (NI legislation: Health and Safety at Work NI Order 1978) This enabling legislation is backed up by specific legal Regulations relating to all workplaces - these can be sourced at www.hse.gov.uk

What employers and senior management need to understand in order to tackle work-related stress in their organisation

• Knowledge of the legal duties of employers and employees
• What could cause stress in their workplace 
• How stress can be harmful
• How to review current health and safety policy to ensure both mental and physical health are included.
• How the risk assessment process can reduce the risk of work related stress wi
• Understanding the HSE Management Standards.

Why would organisations bother to tackle the ever increasing problem of work related stress?

• To meet their legal duty
• To reduce their risk of Civil legal proceedings.
• To reduce the risk of people becoming ill because of stress at work.
• To improve their reputation as a caring employer.
• To potentially reduce insurance premiums.
• To reduce absenteeism and presenteeism
• To decrease staff turnover.
• To increase productivity

If you need guidance to enable you to start tackling work related stress in your organisation there are many health and safety professionals who are able and willing to help. I am one of them, please feel free to get in touch if I can be of assistance