Industries taking toll on employee wellbeing revealed

The research, conducted by Phoenix Health & Safety, looked at how different industries affected the physical and mental health of workers, as well as how workers felt their jobs impacted on their social life. 

Based on the findings, the ‘arts, entertainment and recreation’ industry was found to be the sector that had the most negative impact on the wellbeing of those who work in it. 

Whilst this industry ranked as average in terms of the impact on the physical health of people working in it, it had the 3rd biggest impact on mental health, and the 2nd most disruption to social life. Over half (56%) of people working in the industry said they had experienced stress and anxiety due to work, whilst 53% said their work impacted their social or family life. 

Following the arts, ‘accommodation & food services’, and ‘healthcare & social work’, ranked joint 2nd in their impact on worker wellbeing. The hospitality industry ranked consistently high for its impact on employee mental health and social life, and is the industry with the most reported workplace injuries. 

Healthcare meanwhile, ranked as the industry most likely to cause work related ill health, and with the biggest impact on mental health. Three in five (61%) healthcare workers reported feeling stressed or anxious due to their work. 

The top 10 industries with the greatest impact on employee wellbeing were:

1. Arts, recreation and entertainment
2. Accommodation & food services
3. Healthcare & social work
4. Information & communication
5. Electricity, gas, steam & air conditioning supply
6. Construction
7. Administrative & support services
8. Education
9. Manufacturing
10. Finance & insurance

At the opposite end of the spectrum, workers in the ‘science & technology’ sector are impacted the least by their career. The industry reported the lowest amount of work related injuries, as well as having the least impact on social or family life, with under a third (32%) of people saying their job impacted their social life.

Interestingly, those working in the ‘electricity, gas, steam & air conditioning’ sector are the least likely to say their career impacts their mental health (16%), but were also the industry that experienced the most disruption to social and family life (73%).

Across all industries, more than two in five (43%) people said they experienced stress or anxiety due to work, whilst 36% said work related stress had impacted their physical health, and over a quarter (28%) had sought professional help.

When it comes to impact on social life, a third (33%) of people said they had missed important family or social events due to their work, and over a quarter (27%) stated that their work had caused tension between themselves and their family or friends. 

Commenting on the research, Nick Higginson, CEO of Phoenix Health & Safety says, “We spend such a large portion of our lives working, it’s important that our jobs don’t impact on our physical and mental health, and our social lives where possible. 

“In some industries, physical hazards and dangers are unavoidable, and in these cases, it’s vital that workers and supervisors in these jobs follow the appropriate health and safety regulations to the letter. 

“For those finding themselves experiencing unnecessary levels of stress and anxiety due to work, or finding that their job is having an oversized impact on their social life and relationships, it’s advisable to speak to your employer to discuss alternate working arrangements that might improve your situation, or if this does not change anything, perhaps considering changing jobs or career.”

For more information, visit www.phoenixhsc.co.uk