LOCKSMITH SUPPORT
Top three threats
to a tradeperson’s
wellbeing revealed
Too much work, time pressures and unprepared
customers – these are the top three causes of
stress at work, according to a new survey of
almost 600 tradespeople by IronmongeryDirect.
» WORK-RELATED STRESS AND
mental illness now account for over half
of all lost work days in the UK*. However,
despite this, the survey found that only
11% of tradespeople have taken any
time off work in the last year because of
mental ill-health. With over a third (34%)
reporting regularly feeling stressed, this
research paints a worrying picture.
Almost half of the 587 respondents
(43%) also believe there is still a stigma
in the trades surrounding mental health,
with respondents citing a ‘macho culture’,
embarrassment, weakness and pressure
to ‘get the job done’ as some of the
contributing factors.
The survey also revealed some
generational differences, with
tradespeople aged 18 to 30 being 20%
more likely to talk about their mental
health at work than their peers in the 50
plus age group.
Despite the pressures of the day job,
over half (56%) still feel that they have
a good work/life balance, which is
significantly higher than the national
average of 33%** for all working people.
The most commonly reported ways to
relax when off the job include watching
TV, walking the dog, and spending time
with friends and family.
Commenting on the survey findings,
Marco Verdonkschot, Managing Director
of IronmongeryDirect, said: “This survey
has revealed an interesting insight into the
physical and mental wellbeing of people
working in the trades. Although great
progress has been made across the sector
when it comes to talking about workplace
mental illness, it is clear that there is still a
way to go and it’s vital that employers spot
the signs of mental ill-health and create
the right environment where staff feel they
can speak up.
It is very positive, however, to see
that despite working in a demanding
industry, many tradespeople still have a
high level of job satisfaction and feel that
their employer cares about their general
wellbeing.”
IronmongeryDirect.com
* www.telegraph.co.uk/news/2018/11/01/work-related-stress-mental-illness-now-accounts-half-work-absences/
** www.independent.co.uk/news/health/uk-employees-work-life-balance-happy-third-pressure-sleep-loss-impacts-a8387546.html
66
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JAN/FEB 2020
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