Reviewed and updated July 2026. Statistics reflect HSE’s 2024/25 ill-health data and 2023/24 cost estimates.
April is officially Stress Awareness Month, yet for employees in pressure-intensive UK sectors, stress is an everyday reality demanding strategic attention. According to the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) key figures for Great Britain 2024/25, approximately 964,000 workers suffered from work-related stress, depression, or anxiety, resulting in 22.1 million working days lost.1 These conditions account for around half of all self-reported work-related ill health, highlighting the significant impact on both workers and organisations.
High-pressure sectors: where stress hits hardest
Not all industries carry the same stress burden. HSE data identify human healthcare and social work activities, education, and public administration and defence as the sectors with the highest rates of work-related stress, depression, or anxiety.1 Workers in these sectors experience comparatively higher absence and stress-related ill-health than many other industries.
The financial impact is substantial. The estimated cost of workplace injury and new cases of work related ill health in Great Britain is £22.9 billion (2023/24), encompassing both physical and mental health conditions.1
Generational differences in workplace stress
Emerging evidence highlights a generational divide. Mental Health UK’s Burnout Report 2025 found that 91% of UK adults experienced high or extreme stress over the past year.2 Younger workers appear particularly vulnerable. Survey findings indicate they are less likely to feel comfortable discussing stress with line managers and are more often affected by stress-related absence.2
These trends underscore the importance of targeted wellbeing initiatives and proactive management to support workforce sustainability.
Legal obligations and business rationale
Employers in the UK are legally required to manage psychological risks under health & safety law.1 The HSE’s Working Minds campaign emphasises that preventing work-related stress is a legal requirement, good for business, and the right thing to do.
HSE data show that the average number of working days lost per reported case of stress, depression, or anxiety in 2024/25 was 22.9 days, demonstrating both the operational and financial consequences of unmanaged stress.1
Evidence-based strategies for managing stress
The HSE identifies six Management Standards for addressing work-related stress: demands, control, support, relationships, role, and change.1 Despite clear guidance, only 32% of UK workers report that their workplace has measures to help colleagues recognise and prevent chronic stress.2
Embedding these standards into risk assessments, audits, and wellbeing programmes is crucial for effective stress management and organisational resilience.
Creating a culture of wellbeing
Effective stress management requires visible senior leadership commitment, open communication, and psychologically safe environments. Barriers to raising stress with a line manager persist across UK workplaces, and are particularly acute for younger workers and in traditionally stoic industries such as construction.2
H&S professionals can strengthen culture by training managers, integrating wellbeing metrics into safety reporting, and providing safe channels for staff to voice concerns.
From awareness to action
Stress Awareness Month is an opportunity for high-pressure sectors to implement practical, evidence-based strategies. Recommended actions include:
- Conducting comprehensive stress risk assessments aligned with the HSE’s six Management Standards
- Embedding mental health considerations into all H&S audits and investigations
- Monitoring staff wellbeing and absence metrics to inform interventions
- Creating safe, open forums for employees to discuss stress without fear of stigma
- Ensuring senior leadership visibly supports wellbeing alongside safety KPIs
Failing to act risks workforce burnout, talent loss, and increased operational costs. Organisations that proactively manage stress not only meet legal obligations, but also enhance employee engagement, productivity, and long-term organisational resilience.
High-pressure industries cannot sustain peak performance if stress and burnout are left unaddressed. By combining excellence and wellbeing, organisations can create environments where staff can thrive while maintaining high performance. Conduct your stress risk assessment today to protect your workforce and your organisation.
Please note: This blog provides general health and safety guidance for UK workplaces. Following these steps does not guarantee legal compliance. To conduct a full health and safety self-assessment today, download our Health & Safety 360° Guide 2026/2027.
References
2 Mental Health UK. The Burnout Report 2025: Generational divide in levels of stress and work absence
