Health and safety trainer claims that secondary stress at work tops 2mill
23 Feb 2026
Millions of UK workers may be suffering from secondary mental health issues as a result of colleagues exhibiting stress, depression, or anxiety, claims a new study.
The research, conducted by health and safety trainer RRC International, says that 964,000 employees self-reported themselves to be suffering from stress caused or worsened by work.
However, suggests the company, up to a quarter of their colleagues – an estimated 2.25 million – may be impacted too.
MD Richard Stockley warned: RRC International, comments: “Second-hand stress is an underappreciated blight on our workforce, spreading through teams undetected and untreated.”
Based on an average workforce comprising nine people with more than a quarter susceptible to second hand-stress, more than two and a quarter million could be suffering from second-hand stress, calculated the study.
“Even if 2.3m is the starting number, the scale of the problem is clear to see… workplaces and team leaders need to shift their mindset and realise how stress can impact a whole team, not just one individual,” advised Stockley.
The study, described as based on data from both Legal & General and the Health and Safety Executive, also asserts that the figure could be much higher.
“Now, we know that stress at work impacts people’s productivity, job satisfaction and purpose, and has much wider ramifications to their home lives too. So, decision makers need to implement the right culture and training, allowing the business to adapt, manage and remove as many of the stresses as they can,” said Stockley.
Pic: Joshua Hoehne
