Millions UK workers suffer from second-hand stress

The research, conducted by RRC International, found that 964,000 workers in the UK reported themselves to be suffering from stress caused or made worse by work. With the average workforce made up of nine people, and 26% of those susceptible to second-hand-stress, this means 2,255,760 workers could be suffering from second-hand stress – 7% of the entire UK workforce.

The study, which analysed data from Legal & General outlining the growing pressure on Line Manager wellbeing and mental health data from the Health and Safety Executive, also suggests that in reality, that figure could be much higher. RRC’s own data shows that the actual number of people suffering with stress could be up to 7.5x higher than is being reported by sufferers.

Richard Stockley, Managing Director at health and safety training provider RRC International, comments: “Second-hand stress is an underappreciated blight on our workforce, spreading through teams undetected and untreated. 

“Even if 2.3m is the starting number, the scale of the problem is clear to see. To combat this epidemic, workplaces and team leaders need to shift their mindset and realise how stress can impact a whole team, not just one individual.

“Now, we know that stress at work impacts people’s productivity, job satisfaction and purpose, and has much wider ramifications to their home lives too. So, decision makers need to implement the right culture and training, allowing the business to adapt, manage and remove as many of the stresses as they can. In doing so, they protect their workers and show them they are valued, and they ensure their businesses are futureproofed against the threat of ‘second-hand stress’.”

Find out more about RRC and how to promote and protect workers’ psychological health.