A new study highlights the most stressful jobs in the UK, impacting workers’ health and work-life balance.
- Transportation and storage workers face the highest stress levels, with significant sick leave and low pay rises.
- Educators experience increased workloads, leading to long hours and reduced work-life balance.
- Construction workers earn well but endure long hours in high-risk environments, adding to stress.
- Water supply and social work sectors also report high stress, with social workers taking the most sick days.
An in-depth examination of various UK industries has pinpointed the professions most likely to induce stress in 2024. The study, considering factors like salary, work-life balance, and sick leave, places transportation and storage at the top of the stress index. Workers in this industry average six sick days annually, alongside a modest 2.3% increase in pay, indicating high workplace pressure.
The education sector is not far behind, with workers averaging 5.6 sick days annually. Educators have seen a significant increase in working hours, up 2.6% from 2022 to 2023, leading to extended work commitments and limited work-life balance.
Construction ranks high due to its long working hours, averaging 40 hours per week, despite offering the highest average salary among the top stressful industries, at £44,719. The risky environment of construction work further contributes to the stress associated with this profession, as reflected in the 6.4 average sick days taken by workers.
The water supply and human health and social work sectors also feature prominently in the stress rankings, each with a stress score of 58.9/100. Social workers, in particular, reported the highest number of annual sick days, averaging 8.9. Chronic stress in these fields not only affects job satisfaction but also manifests in physical health issues like hair loss.
Dr. Balwi of Elithair comments, “Chronic stress not only affects job satisfaction and overall quality of life, but it can also lead to physical symptoms such as hair loss, and stress-induced hair loss is a legitimate concern for individuals in high-stress professions.” The prolonged hours, unpredictable schedules, and minimal salary growth in these industries significantly impact employees’ mental and physical health.
The study underscores a pressing need for improved worker support and stress management across these high-pressure industries in the UK.
