Women more stressed than men in workplace

Women in Britain have higher levels of work-related stress than men, according to a new report.

Research by the Health and Safety Executive (HSE), a UK watchdog for work-related health, safety and illness, found that between 2013 and 2016, there were 1,820 cases of work-related stress among women – per 100,000 workers.

The figures were even higher within certain age groups, with 2,250 cases found among women aged 35-44 and 2,170 among women in the 45-54 age group.

This compares with 1,230 cases of work-related stress across all genders, industries and work groups, and 1,190 cases among men. The report, Work- Related Stress, Anxiety And Depression Statistics In Great Britain 2016, said the higher levels of work-related stress among women “is likely to be a product of the proportion of females in the public services and vocational occupations such as teaching and nursing”.

It also cited cultural differences in attitudes and beliefs between males and females around the subject of stress.

Sectors with higher than average incidents of work-related stress include public administration and defence with 2,030 cases, health and human services with 2,020 cases and education, with 1,780 cases reported.

Professions with high rates of work-related stress include nurses and midwives, with 3,010 cases, teachers with 2,530 cases and welfare workers with 4,990 cases.

Workplace stress was found to be more commonplace among those working for larger companies with 1,710 cases in companies with more than 250 employees, compared to 990 cases in business with 50 or fewer staff.

Leading causes of workplace stress include a heavy workload, tight deadlines, too much pressure or responsibility, poor interpersonal relationships and changes at work.