Professional services worst in UK for not doing anything to manage stress

A survey of 1,015 UK adults in employment carried out by learning marketplace, Obby.co.uk,revealed that professional services workers – such as those in accountancy and law - are the worst in the UK at actually taking the time to relieve their stress levels, with 58 per cent admitting they do ‘little or nothing’ to manage these.

Professional services workers were closely followed by those in education and healthcare – with 55 per cent and 53 per cent of staff in these sectors respectively confessing they are guilty of this.

For the overwhelming majority of professional services workers who claimed this was the case, it is a lack of free time that is the biggest obstacle (78 per cent).

With the average Brit working a 40.2-hour week - and not including time spent thinking about work – not having the time to decompress from the daily grind could be damaging the nation’s workforce.

For 1 in 10 in this industry, money is the reason post-work stress relieving activities are not pursued.

As many as 48 per cent of the UK workforce is guilty of not taking steps to manage their stress levels.

Of those who do regularly take measures to reduce work-based stress, it’s exercise and sport that top the poll of most popular stress-busting activities. 44% find relief from a physical outlet, while enjoying personal interests and hobbies came a close second (39 per cent).

Meanwhile, 35 per cent say they turn to spending time with friends and family to relax them.

Tom Batting, co-founder at Obby.co.uk, said: “It’s extremely worrying how many workers within professional services claim they do not prioritise getting the stress relief that is so important for maintaining their mental health. The irony is that this can actually become a vicious cycle – if we don’t make time for stress relief, this can lead to becoming more stressed or even burnout, both of which can reduce productivity further.

“It’s in professional services managers and bosses’ interests to ensure that employees actually do take measures to manage their stress levels – whether that’s communicating how important this, allowing them flexi-time so that they can attend whatever activity it is that they do to relieve stress, or even providing classes or workshops for their workforce.

Mr Batting continues: “As well as reducing stress, this can positively impact on employees’ focus, concentration and efficiency in the workplace – which are particularly key in industries such as law and accountancy, where attention to detail and precision are especially vital. We see this time and again - employers who provide workers with healthy and stress-busting ‘perks’ like yoga, meditation or even arts and craft workshops reap the rewards in a more productive – and satisfied – workforce.”