Warehousing and storage is the most stressful industry in the U.S., according to a new study by Trē House, a marketer of hemp-derived products and other items.
Analysts at the company looked at 26 different factors, including wages, hours worked and paid sick leave to compile a list of the most stressful industries in the U.S., according to a news release.
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.
“This study shows there are many factors to consider when stress is involved,” Trē House spokesperson Jameson Rodgers said in the release. “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, Rodgers said.
“Breaks are not mandated in the U.S. for workers but are instead up to the employer,” he said. “Research from the association of psychological science has shown that having adequate breaks and rest periods of 10 minutes per hour worked can increase productivity in employees.”
Stressing out
Warehousing and storage is the most stressful industry in the U.S. scoring 28.92 out of 100, the release said.
The data found 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, according to the release. The average amount of sleep for someone in this industry is only 6.82 hours and 12% working in this industry also reported working another job, the release said.
With a score of 33.16 out of 100, nursing and residential care facilities ranks as the second-most stressful industry, the release said. Eleven percent reported that they had another job in addition, and only 43.9% reported being satisfied with their health care options. Within the industry, 16% reported taking medication for anxiety or depression, the release said.
Waste management and related services closely follow in third in stress with a score of 37.01 out of 100. Nearly 76% of the industry report that they are worried about paying medical bills, while 64% report being unable to pay medical bills at all. The data also shows that only 35% of this industry have paid sick leave, the release said.
Food manufacturing ranks fourth in stress with a score of 39.12 out of 100. Eighty percent report being paid hourly in this industry due to working in similar conditions to warehouse staff, the release said. The industry also reports that 60% are unable to pay medical bills. Smokers in this industry reported an average of 12 cigarettes smoked per day, the release said.
Dining closely follows food manufacturing in stress with a score of 39.19 out of 100. Only 22% report that paid sick leave is available, and 62% of those in the industry still report that they cannot pay medical bills, the release said. Eleven percent also say that they have a second job. Food service is fast paced, and the data also shows that around 12% take medication for anxiety, the release said.
