37% of employees cite stress as reason to quit job

Almost two-fifths (37%) of employees have considered quitting their job in the last year because of stress at work, according to research by MetLife Employee Benefits.

Nearly half (47%) of respondents find their job stressful on a day-to-day basis, according to the research, which surveyed more than 1,000 full-time employees.

And 48% have seen their stress levels increase in the past year, with just one in 10 having seen their job become less stressful.

The research found that the most stressful workplace issue was colleagues failing to do their jobs properly, with nearly half (49%) of respondents blaming failures by fellow workers for their stress.

In addition, pressure to hit sales and performance targets and being understaffed were also cited as major causes of stress by 45% of respondents.

But one in four (25%) respondents that raised complaints about stress with their employer say that action was taken.

Tom Gaynor, employee benefits director at MetLife UK, said: “It is shocking that nearly two out of five employees have considered resigning because of workplace stress.

“Losing staff because of stress issues is worrying, but just as damaging is the impact on work performance when employees are unhappy.

“Improving employee benefits engagement and making more use of services such as employee assistance programmes and wellbeing programmes can help, but the role of managers is crucial.

“Our study shows that when managers are supportive that employee engagement at work and (with their benefits) rises substantially.

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“At the organisational level, practical programmes for building employees’ mental and physical resilience create foundations for organisations to manage through challenge, change and uncertainty. Prevention is better than cure, which is where employee benefits programmes can play a major role.”