Health and Safety Executive

Stress-related and psychological disorders in Great Britain (GB)

Work-related stress is defined as a harmful reaction people have to undue pressures and demands place on them at work.

The latest estimates from the Labour Force Survey (LFS) show:

  • The total number of cases of stress in 2010/11 was 400 000 out of a total of
    1 152 000 for all work-related illnesses. This is significantly lower than the number in 2001/02.
  • The number of new cases of work-related stress has reduced to 211 000 from
    233 000 in 2009/10 (change not statistically significant).
  • The industries that reported the highest rates of work-related stress in the last three years were health, social work, education and public administration.
  • The occupations that reported the highest rates of work-related stress in the last three years were health and social service managers, teachers and social welfare associate professionals.

Total number of cases (prevalence) and new cases (incidence) of work-related stress in GB 2001/02-2010/11

Total number of cases (prevalence) and new cases (incidence) of work-related stress in GB 2001/02-2010/11

Directgov - Business Link

Updated 20.10.11