CV-Library reveals that two-thirds of Brits are feeling the strain, with 67.7 per cent stating that their job makes them feel stressed. What’s more, almost half (46.6 per cent) said this impacts their private life, with 71.8 per cent experiencing low mood even after they leave work.
The survey of 1,100 workers sought to discover the top causes behind workplace stress and which industries were most affected. Below, CV-Library reveals the sectors where Brits are most likely to suffer from stress, with the top 10 outpacing the nation average of 67.7per cent. The full list includes:
Social Care – 86.4 per cent
Recruitment – 81.8 per cent
Sales – 79.2 per cent
Accounting – 76.7 per cent
Construction – 76 per cent
Marketing – 73.7 per cent
IT – 70 per cent
Legal – 70 per cent
Design – 69.2 per cent
Manufacturing – 68.6 per cent
Lee Biggins, founder and CEO of CV-Library, comments,
While it’s concerning to learn that such a large percentage of the population are suffering from workplace stress, in many of these key industries that comes as little surprise. These are all high-pressure roles, particularly those in the care sector and others such as recruitment, sales and construction, which require tight deadlines and aggressive targets. These factors often add to the stress of the job; especially as we start a new year.
Respondents were also asked to identify the top causes of their stress, with the number one problem being increasing workloads (54.8 per cent). This was followed by their manager (40.1 per cent), tight deadlines (34.1 per cent), making a mistake (30.5 per cent) and customers/clients (25.9 per cent).
Biggins concludes,
Stress and mental health has become a hot topic of late, with businesses and professionals alike focusing on mental wellbeing at work. Despite this, it’s clear from these findings that more needs to be done to help eliminate stress and support increasingly busy professionals.
As an employer, you are there to support those who are struggling at work and you certainly shouldn’t become part of the problem. Keep an eye out for employees who look overwhelmed, fatigued or are struggling to keep on top of their workload. This could be a sign that they’re suffering from stress. As such, you need to put measures in place to help alleviate some of the pressure.
Interested in mental health in the workplace? We recommend these: Mental Health Awareness training day, and Workplace Wellbeing and Stress Forum 2019
Aphrodite is a creative writer and editor specialising in publishing and communications. She is passionate about undertaking projects in diverse sectors. She has written and edited copy for media as varied as social enterprise, art, fashion and education. She is at her most happy owning a project from its very conception, focusing on the client and project research in the first instance, and working closely with CEOs and Directors throughout the consultation process. Much of her work has focused on rebranding; messaging and tone of voice is one of her expertise, as is a distinctively unique writing style in my most of her creative projects. Her work is always driven by the versatility of language to galvanise image and to change perception, as it is by inspiring and being inspired by the wondrous diversity of people with whom paths she crosses cross!
Aphrodite has had a variety of high profile industry clients as a freelancer, and previously worked for a number of years as an Editor and Journalist for Prospects.ac.uk.
Aphrodite is also a professional painter.
Very interesting figure!! After a week of excess expectations, hype and possibly under under sleeping it comes as no surprise that such pressures result in physical and/or psychological ill health (stress). Some people return to work looking forward to exciting new challenges whilst others may feel despondent about more of the ‘same old stuff’.
One answer to this is for organisations to know where the ‘break points’ are by initiating or reviewing last year’s Organisational Risk Assessment which if done properly provided masses of information as to where issues and potential breaking points are in the organisation.
Senior managers also need to ensure Demands are appropriate, discussed and clear, Control is clear and agreed, Support is is accessible (even on the company’s website), Demands on all are regularly and honestly reviewed, Relationships are enabling, supportive and positive, there is clarity of each individual’s Role and open discussion on expected outcomes and time.
The management of Change is positive, inclusive and supportive. In other words apply the Management Standards with thought, understanding and serious listening skills.
Let’s make 2019 the year people come first and measure if it works.
‘Stress’ all too often tends to happen in sales when a disciplinary procedure begins. Sadly, too many people know what to say to their GP to have months off at a time to go job hunting when there’s actually nothing wrong with them at all. Or as one of my clients found by looking at the employee’s FaceBook page – off on holiday for a couple of weeks. A friend of my wife is doing exactly the same now.
I have no doubt that jobs create stress, some of which is positive of course as this is what gives many employees ‘the buzz’. Out of control though, it can cause issues – which is why I’m so annoyed when I (very frequently) see people using the excuse for their own selfish ends and so devaluing its currency.
Our annual Practice Manager Salary Survey regularly highlights the stress and pressure that GP Practice Managers have to go through, whether it’s unpaid extra hours or the demands of the workload in primary care.
Stress and ‘burnout’ is common and worrying when you consider the current demands on the NHS – local GP surgeries are increasingly closing their doors because of funding and staffing shortages. On top of that, there is a significant gender gap and regional variations in pay as well as an overall reduction in salaries last year, unpaid overtime that equates to 8 hours of extra unpaid work per week just to keep on top of the work required;
“(The) responsibility and expectations on my shoulders is huge… it feels like we are far more accountable and responsible than the actual partners of the practice”
Its’ great to see surveys now highlighting the level of stress and anxiety in certain job roles. It’s no surprise that the ones at the top are fast paced sectors that demand peak performance, require employees to heavily interact with other people and have a high need to be on top form at all times. We all react differently to different situations, and stress is one way the body reacts to these pressures.
In our work at Let’s Get Healthy, we have found that helping colleagues in those sectors learn how to be more resilient is the most welcomed activity. Employees and managers respond and learn quickly as it is really easy to make practical changes in lifestyle and mindset without taking any extra time out of their busy day.
Small steps really do make a huge difference in these sectors and the team work and commitment is always very high so we often see everybody achieving results very quickly.
Lots of progressive employers are now taking the lead and investing in building personal and team based resilience programmes and changing their ways of working. We just need to call them out more and share their successes!