Workers in skilled trades, such as electricians, plumbers, and joiners, are among the least likely to report stress, anxiety, or depression in the workplace, new data from the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) reveals. Despite a national rise in burnout-related concerns, these professions stand out for their low stress levels, offering insights into how job structure can influence mental well-being.

According to HSE, approximately 776,000 UK workers experienced work-related stress, depression, or anxiety last year, equating to 2,260 cases per 100,000 employees. But the skilled trades sector reported just 720 cases per 100,000 workers in 2023/24, affecting less than 1% of its workforce. This figure is significantly below the national average, highlighting a stark contrast with other industries.

Confused.com, a life insurance provider, analysed HSE data to identify industries with the lowest reported cases of workplace stress. The process, plant, and machine operative sector, which includes roles like plant operators and train drivers, followed closely with 730 cases per 100,000 workers. Elementary occupations, such as cleaners and retail workers, ranked third with 1,200 cases per 100,000.

Top 5 industries with the lowest stress, anxiety, and depression cases

• Skilled trades occupations (electricians, plumbers, joiners): 720
• Process, plant, and machine operatives (metal working machine operatives, energy plant operatives): 730
• Transport and mobile machine drivers (bus drivers, delivery drivers, driving instructors): 750
• Elementary occupations (cleaners, labourers, service and retail workers): 1,200
• Sales occupations (sales assistants, retail cashiers, salespersons): 1,290

In contrast, professional occupations, including accountants, lawyers, teachers, and doctors, reported the highest stress levels, with 2,740 cases per 100,000 employees. These roles often involve heavy workloads, long hours, and high-stakes responsibilities, which may contribute to elevated stress.

Experts suggest that the low stress levels in skilled trades may stem from flexible hours and self-employment opportunities, which allow greater control over schedules. Similarly, process and machine operative roles often involve structured routines, reducing uncertainty and pressure. Elementary roles, while fast-paced, offer variety and teamwork, which can support mental health.

Despite these findings, Google searches for “burnout” have reached a five-year high, with 64,000 searches in the past month alone, indicating widespread concern about workplace stress. Confused.com partnered with Nilou Esmaeilpour, clinical director at Lotus Therapy, to explore the health impacts of chronic stress.

Esmaeilpour said: “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.”

Esmaeilpour also noted the impact of remote and hybrid working: “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.”

To manage workplace stress, Esmaeilpour recommends strategies like the Pomodoro Technique, which involves 25-minute work intervals followed by five-minute breaks, and creating an end-of-workday ritual, such as a short walk or changing into comfortable clothes. She also advocates for “shutdown lists” to close the mental loop at the end of the day and prioritising a healthy lifestyle with regular exercise, balanced nutrition, and sufficient sleep.

Tom Vaughan, a life insurance expert at Confused.com, added: “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’s important 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.”