More than 5 in 10 retail workers are experiencing workplace stress, making it one of the most stressful industries in the UK.

As part of a brand new study, the team at Private Rehab Clinic Delamere have crunched the numbers to reveal the industries that experience the highest levels of workplace stress. 

Retail is the sixth most stressful industry in the UK, scoring just 3.6/10 in the study and ranking ahead of industries such as transport and education.

With a worrying 54.4% of workers saying they experience workplace stress, this is perhaps due to the hostility they may receive from customers. 

Not only this, but the retail industry also scored 0/10 for health and well-being, 4.3/10 for work-life balance, 5/10 for the average yearly salary of £26,244.

The industries that closely follow are the administrative and support services sector (55.10%), the arts and entertainment industry (55.60%), and the manufacturing sector (55.80%).  

In second place, we have the health and social care sector, with an alarming score of 56.30%. This is to be expected as this kind of work usually involves being on your feet all day, as well as helping people out of chairs and beds. 

And with a worrying 57.10% of employees reporting poor mental health, the hospitality industry comes first place as being the most stressful line of work in the UK.

It was recorded that hotel workers felt a very high level of stress each day, which could be down to the high level physical expectations throughout the day, such as heavy lifting and hot environments. 

Sharing his thoughts on this matter, Martin Preston, chief executive and founder at Delamere said: ‘Stress in the workplace is disastrous for many reasons, one of them being that burn out can actually lead to being less productive and making mistakes. In industries that deal with machinery or are based in dangerous environments, this could have catastrophic consequences. 

‘Untreated stress and work burnout, which is made worse by the toxicity of gring or hustle culture, can lead to severe cases of anxiety and other mental health conditions – which could then, in turn, lead to an employee needing to go off work sick.

‘The mental health of employees should always come first for a business, which is why it can be unprofessional and detrimental to contact employees outside of working hours or suggest that people work overtime for no extra income. 

‘This kind of mentality contributes directly to hustle culture, and could lead to employees feeling that they have failed if they ever take a break. Keep all communication within paid hours, and try as much as possible to build relationships with your employees outside of work. This will allow employers to get to know their workforce as human beings with emotional needs, and will in turn make their employees feel more comfortable when voicing concerns.’