A recent study highlights the prevalence of crying in UK workplaces, offering insights into the emotional landscape of various generations in modern employment.
- According to Vision Direct, more than a third of British workers have cried at work in the past year, revealing significant emotional challenges.
- The study found that women are more likely to express their emotions at work, with 66% of those who admitted crying being female.
- Younger generations, particularly Gen Z and Millennials, are the most susceptible to workplace tears, marking a shift in emotional expressiveness.
- Stress and burnout are key factors driving workplace tears, indicating ongoing issues with employee well-being and organisational support.
A new study conducted by Vision Direct uncovered that over a third of British employees have cried at their workplace in the previous year. This finding underscores the emotional strain encountered by workers in various sectors across the nation.
Among those who reported crying, 66% were women, highlighting a gender disparity in emotional expression within the workplace. Sonal Thakrar, a noted Integrative Psychotherapist, emphasises, “Attitudes towards crying are changing and the real change is shaped by our personal beliefs.”
The generational divide is evident, as 34% of Gen Z workers and 27% of Millennials reported crying at work. In contrast, only 16% of Gen X and 7% of Baby Boomers admitted to emotional outbursts at their place of employment.
Stress remains a predominant reason for workplace tears, with 55% of participants highlighting it as a cause. Burnout, affecting nearly 27% of the nation, is particularly prevalent in sectors such as education, healthcare, and social assistance, where emotional demands are high.
Throughout various industries, women are three times more likely to cry due to burnout than men, with Millennials and Gen Z leading the statistics. The discrepancy also extends to employment types, with those employed for wages being ten times more likely to shed tears due to work-related stress than their self-employed counterparts.
Despite these findings, societal attitudes are shifting. Only 26% disapprove of public crying, while just 10% judge those who do so at work. The survey suggests that crying is increasingly seen as a natural and even healthy emotional release, with 44% feeling calmer and 42% feeling relieved post-cry.
The study reveals deep-rooted emotional challenges in the workplace, necessitating proactive measures for improved employee well-being.
