Occupation and Industry

Information on the occupational and industrial distribution of new cases of work-related mental illness reported to THOR is shown in Table THORP04 and Table THORP05. The most recent SWI information by occupation and industry relates to 2005/06. The incidence of self-reported work-related stress, depression or anxiety by occupation is shown; for SWI05/06 in Tables STROCC2 and STROCC4, and for the average of the latest three years in Tables STROCC2_3YR and STROCC4_3YR. Similar tables are available by industry; for SWI05/06 in Tables STRIND2 and STRIND4, and for the average of the latest three years in Tables STRIND2_3YR and STRIND4_3YR.

Days lost due work-related stress, depression or anxiety by occupation and industry are shown in tables STROCC6 and STRIND6 respectively. Further details of self-reported work-related stress and related conditions by occupation and industry are provided in reports from past surveys (SWI90, SWI95, SWI98/99, SWI01/02, SWI03/04, SWI04/05 and SHAW). These earlier surveys indicate that teachers and nurses have the highest prevalence rates of work-related stress. This is largely supported by the SWI05/06 data on the basis of the sub-major groups with high prevalence rates, as shown in SWI05/06 Table STROCC2. Detailed analysis of three year averages (SWI03/04 through to SWI05/06) at minor and unit occupational group level, where numbers were sufficiently large, showed significantly higher prevalence rates for health and social services managers (minor group 118 – 3370 per 100,000 employed in last 12 months), teaching professionals (minor group 231 – 2610 per 100,000 employed in last 12 months) and social welfare associate professionals (minor group 323 – 2300 per 100,000 employed in last 12 months), amongst other groupings.

SWI05/06 indicates higher rates of work-related stress, depression or anxiety prevalence and incidence in the industry sections, public administration and defence, education, health and social work and financial intermediation. This is largely consistent with results from previous years and is reflective of industry groups that contain the occupational groups with the highest rates.

Surveillance scheme data indicates a similar occupational and industrial distribution of new cases of work-related mental ill-health, highest incidence groups include medical practitioners, secondary education teaching professionals, NCOs, police officers, hospital and health service managers, hotel managers, probation officers, midwives and ambulance staff, as shown in Tables THORP04 and THORP05.