Less than 1% of employees in the skilled work trade reported stress, anxiety and depression last year.
- In total, approximately 776,000 workers suffered from work-related stress, depression or anxiety last year – that’s around 2,260 cases per 100,000 employees – according to data from HSE.
- But the skilled trade reported the fewest cases, with only 720 reports of stress, anxiety and depression per 100,000 employees in the industry.
- Despite some industries showing lower levels of stress, anxiety and depression than others, Google searches for ‘burnout’ are at the highest levels of the past 5 years.
- Chronic stress can be a contributing factor in various health issues. Confused.com has partnered with a clinical counsellor to explore how stressful jobs can affect our health – and to share tips for coping with or preventing workplace burnout.
Workers in skilled trades – including electricians, plumbers and joiners – are among those least likely to report stress in the work place, new data shows.
The experts at Confused.com life insurance analysed reports of work-related stress, anxiety and depression across different industries, revealing which professions reported the fewest cases over the last 12 months.
In total, around 776,000 workers reported stress, anxiety and depression symptoms in the past year – that’s equivalent to 2, 260 per 100,000 workers in the UK(1), according to HSE data.
But some industries reported well below this national figure. For instance, just 720 cases of stress, anxiety and depression were reported per 100,000 employees in the skills trade sector in 2023/24. That’s under 1% of the workforce, including roles like electricians, plumbers and carpenters.
The process, plant and machine operative industry reported similar numbers, with around 730 cases per 100,000 workers. This group includes jobs like plant operators or those driving or operating trains, vehicles or machinery.
So what makes these roles feel less stressful than others? Skilled trades often offer flexible hours or self-employment, which may give workers more control over their schedules – something that can better support work-life balance.
Similarly, process, plant and machine roles tend to follow structured routines and defined tasks. That sense of predictability could help reduce uncertainty and day-to-day pressure.
Elementary roles – such as cleaners, laborers, service and retail workers – ranked as the third ‘least stressful’ industry, with 1,200 cases of stress, anxiety and depression reported per 100,000 workers. While these roles are often fast paced and physical, they can also offer daily variety, teamwork and movement, all of which can support mental wellbeing.
Here’s the full breakdown of the top 5 industries with the lowest stress, anxiety and depression cases per 100,000 employees:
At the other end of the scale, professional occupations – including accountants, lawyers, teachers and doctors – had the highest number of stress, anxiety and depression reports. In 2023/24, 2,740 cases were reported per 100,000 employees.
These roles often come with greater day-to-day demands, heavier workloads and longer hours, which may contribute to higher stress levels.
While some industries are seeing lower levels of stress, anxiety and depression, the overall picture shows many UK workers are still feeling the strain. Google searches for “burnout” have hit a 5 year high, with 64,000 searches made in the past month alone.
But how can a ‘burnout’ or a stressful job impact our health?
With workplace stress affecting thousands of employees daily, Confused.com has teamed up with Nilou Esmaeilpour, Clinical Director & Registered Clinical Counsellor at Lotus Therapy, to shed light on how long-term stress can impact our mental wellbeing.
Nilou comments, “Our mental health can get very badly affected because of stress, as chronic stress disrupts the brain’s ability to regulate mood, memory, and decision-making. I have worked with clients who, after months of high work pressure, tight deadlines, and no downtime, developed anxiety disorders or symptoms of depression. The longer the stress goes on without any healthy coping strategies in place, the more possible serious mental health issues it can help create, such as panic attacks or emotional burnout.
“The high levels of stress activate the sympathetic nervous system, keeping the body always poised in ‘fight or flight’. This commonly translates into a fast-beating heart, increased blood pressure, muscle tension, and sometimes insulin resistance.”
Nilou also shared their insights on how remote and hybrid working have affected work related stress:
“In clinical experience, this increase in stress levels has been principally work-related and witnessed after the pandemic. Many clients experience guilt from having ambiguous work-life boundaries, an increase in the amount of workload, and pressure to remain available almost at all times due to digital connectivity. For instance, a recent case I handled was of one more tech employee working on a remote basis who received Slack messages at midnight because of the different time zones of the colleagues. This benefit of working from home has, indeed, nullified those physical boundaries which earlier had separated office life and personal life.”
It’s far from all being negative though:
“However, culture has changed positively; many people have begun speaking of burnout and mental health, and the employers are also beginning to respond with days off related to mental wellbeing and wellness programs.”
Tips on managing work related stress
- Figure out a good working pattern
Having a healthy working pattern can help keep stress in check. Taking regular breaks and avoiding the urge to tackle your entire to-do list at once is key. Nilou advises:
“To manage stress in the workplace involves very deliberate pauses and preventive behaviour. I normally recommend the Pomodoro Technique: focus for 25 minutes and have 5 minutes of a break; this really contributes to maintaining one’s mental freshness and reduces fatigue. It is also beneficial for clients to go out for just two minutes to soak in the sunlight and fresh air, just a small thing that’s been shown to decrease cortisol levels.”
- Have an end-of-workday ceremony
Creating a clear boundary between work and personal time can help your brain switch-off. One simple way to do this is by building a small ritual into the end of your day. Nilou notes:
“An end-of-workday ceremony is one of the immediate measures you can do to be sure to leave work at the office. To do this, you may want to slip into something cosy, listen to a favourite playlist during your commute home, or take a brief walk outside before entering your home scenario if working at home.
- Prioritise a healthy lifestyle
Looking after your health can make a real difference when it comes to managing work-related stress. Regular exercise, a balanced diet and enough sleep all help support your mood and energy levels, making everyday pressures easier to handle.
Sticking to healthy habits can also benefit your physical health, which might help you save money on your life insurance policy. Taking small, consistent steps can help you feel more in control and better equipped for a busy working life.
- Write down a ‘shutdown list’ at the end of the day
We’re all likely familiar with writing a long list for the day ahead, but a ‘shutdown’ list at the end of it can be just as helpful. Nilou recommends “I have also seen clients who benefit from writing down ‘shutdown lists’ at the end of the day: three items for the next day and one for the accomplishment of the current day. All of this helps close the mental loop.”
Tom Vaughan, life insurance expert at Confused.com comments, “The level at which our jobs can affect our stress levels can’t be understated. Whether you’re in full-time or part-time employment, our careers are a big part of our lives and can contribute to our stress levels no matter what industry you work in. Therefore, it’simportant to ensure you have access to support systems both in and out of work if you feel that your stress levels are reaching their limit.
“Even those in roles that they would consider relatively stress-free can let things accumulate, so knowing what to do in that situation is vital. Thankfully both employers and employees are becoming more aware and understanding of stress on the whole. And while there’s still a long way to go, we’re hoping that we can have a future where stress is treated with the care it deserves. Spotting signs of stress early on can help to prevent the long-term effects it can have on both our mental and physical wellbeing, supporting a healthier, more balanced relationship with our careers overall.”
