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HR managers most likely to suffer from mental health issues

HR managers more likely to suffer from mental health issues

HR managers are more likely to suffer from mental health issues than their business counterparts.

A study by Starford Legal HR found that HR managers are more likely than CEOs, senior managers, mid-entry level managers and administrators to deal with mental health conditions. It found that 15 per cent of HR managers struggle with psychological health problems, as well as suffering from stress-related physical conditions such as migraines (16 per cent).

Despite CEOs being less likely to suffer from mental health conditions compared to those in HR, they are likely to suffer from sleep disorders (15 per cent) and high blood pressure (13 per cent).

Starford Legal HR said:

Businesses are facing more challenges than ever, with HR managers particularly under pressure to adapt to uncertain conditions in the political landscape as Brexit unfolds.

Frequent changes in employment legislation, or precedents set by case law, are always a challenge for HR professionals, and 2020 is no different with challenging decisions having to be made in terms of contracting with consultants in light of the IR35 changes.

As well as the various proposals being adopted following the Taylor Review and the Good Work Plan; significant increase in the National Living Wage to deal with; as well as the ongoing administrative challenges in completing the Gender Pay Gap information and then addressing any issues that the GPG may highlight. This is all on top of the usual employee relations matters.

In December 2019, One4all Gift Cards research found that people who work in HR are ranked the third-highest most likely to be working on Christmas day in the UK, coming after those who work in healthcare, arts and culture.

They found that 9 per cent of HR expect to be working on Christmas day. With 19 per cent of those in healthcare and 11 per cent of those who work in arts and culture expecting to work.

Global Web Index, a market research company conducted this research for Starford Legal HR by asking the opinions of UK HR professionals, CEOs/C-Suite leaders, senior-mid level managers, and administrators-entry level managers.

Darius is the editor of HRreview. He has previously worked as a finance reporter for the Daily Express. He studied his journalism masters at Press Association Training and graduated from the University of York with a degree in History.

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