Jobs In The Healthcare & Social Work Sectors The Most Stressful
New research conducted by Go.Compare Life Insurance of data compiled by the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) has found that many of the most stressful jobs in the UK are in the healthcare and social work sectors.
Report
Marked out of 10 in terms of levels of stress, midwives top the list on 8.8. Other healthcare roles within the top 10 are counsellors (2nd - 8.2), youth/community workers (3rd - 8.2), nurses (4th - 7.6), occupational therapists (6th - 7.6), and paramedics (7th - 7.4).
The report found that 3.5% per 100,000 workers within the healthcare and social work sectors had suffered from work-related stress, anxiety, or depression (SAD).
Four million people work in the healthcare and social worker sectors according to the 2021 census, which means that 14.75% of the working population are working in these high stress jobs in which the average worker had 19.6 days off sick in 2023.
Comment
Commenting upon the findings, Rhys Jones from Go Compare states: "Our research highlights a stark reality – professions like midwifery, within the healthcare and social work sectors, not only face significant responsibilities during work hours, but the stress can take its toll on their day-to-day lives. It’s clear that those who spend their careers taking care of others should also find ways to take care of themselves."
Jones adds: "These findings are especially poignant considering the broader context of underfunding within the NHS and the challenges posed by the impact of the pandemic. The fallout has undoubtedly worsened stress levels within the healthcare sector, adding a layer of strain on already demanding roles. It’s a reminder that while pursuing a fulfilling career is important, maintaining a balanced life outside of work is essential. Ultimately, a balance that supports a healthy personal and professional lifestyle is key."
Subject Access Requests Compliance Complaints Increase
According to research conducted by GQ|Littler, the number of complaints about the failure to comply with subjects access requests to the Information Commissioner’s Office (ICO) increased by 13.5% between 2022 and 2023 to 15,300. The largest number (14%) came from the financial services sector
This issue is the cause of more complaints than any other subject for the Information Commissioner’s Office (ICO)
UK GDP Stalls Again
At the end of 2023, the UK fell into recession, with GDP having contracted for the two final quarters of 2023. The country then came out of recession during the first quarter of 2024, posting GDP growth of 0.6%.
Zero Growth
Nevertheless, a new report just released by the Office for National Statistics (ONS) has found that there was 0% GDP growth during April 2024.
Wet Weather Blamed
Growth in the services sector during the month was offset by falls in the construction and production sectors with the ONS stating in their report: "Comments provided by businesses....stated their output reduced because of wetter weather. UK overall rainfall in April 2024 was 155% of the long-term average according to the Met Office's Monthly Climate Summary."
Comment
Commenting upon the figures, the Deputy Chief Economist at Abrdn, Luke Bartholomew, stated: "UK monthly GDP growth took a little breather in April after a strong month of expansion in March. The series is notoriously volatile month to month and often swung around by non-fundamental factors like the weather. So it is important not to put too much stead in just one month of data and look at the broader trend across several months."
Bartholomew added that "on that measure, a picture of solid recovery from last year’s recession emerges. This should continue as the year progresses as households benefit from strong real income growth amid falling inflation. All of this should do little to impact the Bank of England’s current thinking about policy, with a cut in June very unlikely, but a move in August still on the cards so long as inflation data behave."
Inflation & Interest Rates
As we highlighted in a post yesterday, inflation (as measured by the Consumer Prices Index (CPI)) fell from 2.3% to 2% in May 2024, and the Bank of England confirmed today that interesr rates would remain at 5.25%
