An analysis of salary, work-life balance, and average sick days has revealed the UK’s most stressful industries in 2024.
According to Statista, work is the main cause of stress, with 79% of respondents stating that the feeling of burnout is frequently associated with their job. This is followed by monetary stress for 60% of respondents, while 48% experienced family stress.
Furthermore, research from Elithair has revealed that those experiencing heightened stress are at greater risk of physical health issues, with 73.8% of respondents reporting hair loss as a direct impact of stress. Other commonly reported physical effects include chronic headaches, sleep disturbances, digestive problems, and increased susceptibility to illnesses such as colds and flu.
INDUSTRIES AT HIGHEST RISK OF STRESS
In light of this, Elithair analysed a range of professions within different industries to determine which ones are most likely to cause stress-related health problems. The study took into account factors that exacerbate work-related stress, including average salary, salary increases, sick days, average working hours, and the average change in working hours between 2022 and 2023, associated with each profession.
Transportation and Storage
The transportation and storage sector came top of the list in the study, with a high-stress score of 70 out of 100. Workers in this industry take an average of 6 sick days annually, one of the highest rates among sectors. Pay increases are also modest, with a 2.3% annual rise from 2022 to 2023, ranking among the lowest across industries. These factors combined amount to an industry facing considerable workplace pressures, putting employees at significant risk for a range of stress-related health issues, including hair loss, cardiovascular problems, and chronic fatigue.
Occupation stress score: 70/100
Education
Workers in this sector take an average of 5.6 sick days each year. Employees within the education sector work an average of 35.9 hours each week and had the highest percentage change when it came to an increase in hours worked between 2022 and 2023 at 2.6%, leading to longer working hours and less work/life balance. The stress associated with these conditions can lead to insomnia, anxiety, and burnout, alongside physical symptoms such as migraines and weakened immune systems.
Occupation stress score: 64.4/100
Construction
Although employees within this industry were amongst the highest earners with an average salary of £44,719 – the highest salary of those ranked within the top five – they also work some of the longest hours at an average of 40 hours a week. Alongside the analysed factors contributing to the overall stress score, construction workers often work in high-risk environments, which could contribute to the overall stress of the job. These stressful working conditions can lead to increased blood pressure, musculoskeletal problems, and higher-than-average sick days, with an average of 6.4 recorded per year.
Occupation stress score: 62.2/100
IMPACT OF CHRONIC STRESS
Also included among the top five most stressful industries to work in are water supply and human health and social work, both with a stress score of 58.9/100. The social work sector stands out with the highest number of sick days among all analysed occupations, averaging 8.9 days per year. Employees in these fields are particularly vulnerable to stress-related conditions such as gastrointestinal issues, chronic pain, and mental health disorders.
Commenting on the study, Elithair’s Dr Balwi said: “Chronic stress not only affects job satisfaction and overall quality of life, but it can also lead to physical symptoms such as hair loss. Working long hours and dealing with unpredictable schedules, high-pressure environments, and slow salary growth can have a significant impact on both the mental and physical well-being of employees.”
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