Work is the third biggest cause of stress for UK employees, after lack of sleep and money worries, finds new research.

A survey of 1,238 employed adults carried out by HR software provider, Ciphr, found over two-thirds (70 per cent) identified at least one aspect of work that contributes to their stress levels.

Work in general is the biggest cause of stress for around one in three (37 per cent) employees, with workload pressures (35 per cent) coming a close second.

Nearly one in four (23 per cent) struggle with long, or inflexible, working hours. While one in five blame their bosses (21 per cent), workplace culture (20 per cent) or work colleagues (19 per cent) for their increased stress.

Despite the rise in remote and hybrid working since the pandemic, commuting is still a significant source of stress for a fifth (19 per cent) of workers.

And, worryingly, nearly one in six have anxiety about their job security (17 per cent).

The stress of sending and responding to emails (as well as instant messages and group chats) was also cited by a sizeable share of respondents (16 per cent).

Other major stress triggers, which undoubtedly can impact an individual’s focus and performance at work, are feeling tired (40 per cent of employees), financial strain (38 per cent), and family or relationship issues (32 per cent). Over a quarter are also coping with stress caused by health problems (27 per cent) and having a ‘too’ busy schedule (27 per cent).

Share of UK employees who find the following things stressful:

• Work in general (39 per cent of women vs 35 per cent of men)
• Their workload (38 per cent vs 31 per cent)
• Their working hours (22 per cent vs 25 per cent)
• Their boss (23 per cent vs 20 per cent)
• Their organisation’s workplace culture (21 per cent vs 20 per cent)
• Commuting (18 per cent vs 21 per cent)
• Their colleagues (22 per cent vs 16 per cent)
• Job security / unemployment (18 per cent vs 17 per cent)

Women are also significantly more likely to be stressed about their finances (44 per cent of female workers vs 32 per cent of male workers), their workload (38 per cent vs 31 per cent), what’s going on in the world (29 per cent vs 18 per cent), cooking and meal planning (22 per cent vs 9 per cent), and their caring responsibilities (21 per cent vs 16 per cent), among many other things.

What can employers do?

Claire Williams, Chief People and Operations Officer at Ciphr, said: “Ciphr’s latest research provides some interesting, yet worrying, insights into the high levels of work-related stress that exist across all job roles.

“One finding that stands out for me is how one in nine employees – that’s millions of people in the UK – feel stressed every single day. Work is not necessarily always the cause, granted, but it can be a significant contributor. If 11% of your workforce – likely more – is stressed daily, then it is going to have a big impact on their home lives and their work lives. So, employers need to be mindful of the role they can play in helping to relieve an individual’s stress and anxiety.

“Unrealistic workloads and time pressures, overbearing bosses, unsupportive colleagues, and toxic workplace cultures, can all trigger stress. This can interfere with people’s focus and productivity, and negatively affect our happiness and job satisfaction. It can also lead to higher staff turnover and absenteeism.

“Some stressors are always going to be around, and there are many things outside of an employer’s control that can still take a toll. But there are many things that organisations can, and must, do to actively support their employees’ mental health and wellbeing with empathy and understanding.

“If people are raising concerns about their workloads or working hours don’t ignore it – make changes where possible. The key lies in cultivating a workplace culture that prioritises employee wellbeing. One where discussing stress, and its causes and effects, is normalised and encouraged to help identify potential issues before they escalate. This includes training managers to recognise signs of mental distress and ensuring employees know what support is available to them via health insurance plans and employee assistance programmes.”

Ciphr’s 2024 stress study, examining the incidence and causes of stress (in and outside of work), is available to view by clicking here.

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