At holiday time, stress at work can be compounded as you race to cram in more before the “break.” But which industries are the most stressful generally?
Experts at TRĒ House – which as a seller of cannabis products has a vested interest in stress – have analyzed 26 different factors, including wages, hours worked and paid sick leave to compile a list of the most stressful industries in the United States. The list was then put into an index and each industry was given a score out of 100. The lower the score, the more stressful the industry.
The study found that warehousing/storage is the most stressful industry in the U.S., scoring 28.92/100. The data showed that 93% of workers reported being paid hourly. With an hourly wage, workers can find themselves disadvantaged when it comes to taking time off, as any missed hours are taken from their pay. The average amount of sleep for someone in this industry is only 6.82 hours, and 12% also reported working another job.
With a score of 33.16/100, nursing/residential care ranks as the second most stressful industry – no surprise given the nursing shortage that helps create and in turn reflects the high-pressured nature of this career. Eleven percent of participants reported that they had a second job, and only 43.9% described being satisfied with their health-care options. Just as discouraging, 16% said they take medication for anxiety or depression.
Waste management and related services closely follow in third with a score of 37.01/100. Three quarters of industry workers said they are worried about paying medical bills, while 64% are unable to pay medical bills at all. The data also show that only 34.7% have paid sick leave.
Food manufacturing ranks fourth with a score of 39.12/100. Eighty percent report being paid hourly in this industry due to working in conditions similar to warehouse staff. The industry also noted that 60% are unable to pay medical bills. Workers who smoked also reported puffing on an average of 12 cigarettes a day.
Dining follows with 39.19/100. Only 22% reported that paid sick leave is available and 62.1% said they cannot pay medical bills. Slightly more than 11% also said they have a second job. Food service is fast-paced – a situation that contributes to some 12% taking medication for anxiety.
Mining support is sixth with 39.25/100. Almost 60% of respondents in this industry reported that they are paid hourly instead of monthly and 50.6% are worried about paying medical bills. These workers are on the job an average 52 hours per week, the longest working hours on this list.
Wood products rank seventh with 39.29/100 and hotels/accommodation rank eighth with a score of 39.67/100. Wood products as an industry reported that 10.5% have a second job, and 13.4% take medication for anxiety. For those working in hospitality, 66.7% report being unable to pay medical bills, and 15.9% are taking medication for depression.
General merchandise stores are ninth with 41.66/100. The average number of hours worked in general retail is 36.20 – sure to increase during the holiday season. Finally, health and personal care stores are 10th on the list with 41.69/100. More than 70% of the industry is paid hourly.
Jameson Rodgers, a spokesperson for Tré House, commented on the findings and ways to combat stress in the workplace:
“This study shows there are many factors to consider when stress is involved. Some of these industries might look easy on the surface, but the inner workings and compensation for employees could lead to a much more stressful environment.
“Out of the 71 industries in the study, 25 had more than 10% of employees with a second job, and all had over 30% of their workforce worried about paying medical bills.
“Breaks are not mandated in the U.S. for workers but are instead up to the employer. Research from the Association for Psychological Science (APS) has shown that having adequate breaks and rest periods of 10 minutes per hour worked can increase productivity in employees.
“There are many ways to relieve stress, including exercise and hobbies….”
In addition, a spokesperson noted, better insurance coverage and salaried employment would help workers feel less stressed, giving them some peace of mind.
