A new study has found that more than 70 percent of UK employees experience work-related stress, with work emerging as the third leading cause of stress after lack of sleep and financial concerns.
Conducted by HR software provider Ciphr, the survey revealed that a significant portion of the workforce is grappling with various aspects of their jobs contributing to high levels of stress.
According to the survey of 1,238 employed adults, 37 percent identified work itself as their primary stressor, followed closely by workload pressures (35). Additionally, 23 percent of employees reported struggling with long or inflexible working hours, while 21 percent attributed their stress to their boss, and 19 percent to workplace culture and colleagues.
Despite the increase in remote and hybrid working options post-pandemic, commuting remains a significant source of anxiety for 19 percent of workers. Meanwhile, job security concerns affected nearly one in six (17%) employees, and the pressure of managing emails, messages, and group chats added stress for 16 percent.
Other prominent stressors that affect employees’ focus and productivity include fatigue (40%), financial strain (38%), and family or relationship issues (32%). Health concerns and overly busy schedules also weigh on over a quarter of workers.
Women and Gen X Hit Harder by Stress
The survey highlighted notable gender and age disparities in stress levels. Women reported feeling stressed more frequently than men, both at work and at home. Nearly half of female respondents (48%) cited tiredness and lack of sleep as major stress triggers, compared to 31 percent of men. Financial worries also affect women disproportionately (44% vs. 32% for men), along with workload concerns (38% vs. 31%).
Gen X employees, particularly those aged 45-54, appear to be most vulnerable, with 80 percent of women and 75 percent of men in this age group reporting work-related stress.
Most Stressful Industries
Certain sectors experience stress more acutely than others. Hospitality and events management workers, for instance, report an average of 15.6 stressful days per month—equating to over half a year spent dealing with stress. Employees in social care, teaching, and education also face high levels of stress, experiencing it for 13.1 and 12.3 days per month, respectively.
Conversely, workers in industries like engineering and manufacturing report the lowest stress levels, with an average of 7.3 stressful days a month.
The Role of Employers in Reducing Stress
Ciphr’s chief people and operations officer, Claire Williams, emphasises the importance of employers addressing workplace stress proactively. “If 11 percent of your workforce feels stressed every single day, it’s bound to affect both their personal and professional lives. Employers need to be mindful of how they can alleviate stress,” Williams said.
She urged companies to address issues like unrealistic workloads, long hours, and toxic workplace cultures, all of which can contribute to higher stress levels and impact job satisfaction, productivity, and retention. Providing mental health support and fostering a culture where discussing stress is normalised can help create a more supportive work environment.
What does the future look like?
With stress continuing to affect millions of workers across the UK, Ciphr’s study highlights the pressing need for businesses to focus on employee well-being. Addressing stress at its root—whether through flexible working conditions, mental health resources, or improvements in workplace culture—will be crucial in fostering a more productive and happier workforce.
Ciphr’s full report on workplace stress is available on their website, offering insights into the specific challenges employees face and the solutions employers can implement to mitigate them.
Amelia Brand is the Editor for HRreview, and host of the HR in Review podcast series. With a Master’s degree in Legal and Political Theory, her particular interests within HR include employment law, DE&I, and wellbeing within the workplace. Prior to working with HRreview, Amelia was Sub-Editor of a magazine, and Editor of the Environmental Justice Project at University College London, writing and overseeing articles into UCL’s weekly newsletter. Her previous academic work has focused on philosophy, politics and law, with a special focus on how artificial intelligence will feature in the future.
