British workers face some of the highest job stress levels in Europe, grappling with long hours, tight deadlines, and limited autonomy—without corresponding productivity benefits, according to

a new report. The findings emerge as the UK’s Labour government prepares to introduce stricter workplace regulations.

The study, commissioned by the Commission for Healthier Working Lives—an initiative of the Health Foundation think tank with trade union representation—aims to inform upcoming employment reforms to improve working conditions.

The report paints a troubling picture:

High Work Intensity: Three-fifths of British workers reported tight deadlines, and two-fifths had to work at high speed—among the highest levels in Europe.

Limited Autonomy: Only one-third of workers said they had control over their work pace.

Sectoral Differences: Conditions were particularly harsh in sectors like construction, transport, warehousing, retail, and hospitality. Professional roles such as nurses and teachers also reported significant strain.

"Key issues to address are long hours, high work intensity, and a lack of control over work," said Jonny Gifford, one of the report's authors and a principal research fellow at the Institute for Employment Studies (IES).

Tony Wilson, a co-author and former IES chief, left the commission in October to take on an advisory role in Britain’s labour ministry.

The prospect of stricter regulations has sparked anxiety among business leaders. On Monday, the Confederation of British Industry (CBI) warned that tougher employment rules could compound challenges posed by rising social security taxes and a higher minimum wage. The CBI predicts such measures could lead to reduced employment, lower wages, and a drop in long-term investment.

Drawing on data from a 2021 European Union survey of working conditions, the report highlighted a stark contrast between workplace stress and productivity. While British workers reported above-average relationships with colleagues and managers, they ranked poorly in almost every other measure of workplace demands, autonomy, and job strain.

Approximately half of British workers said they felt exhausted by their jobs, with workplace stress levels climbing over the past 25 years. Despite these pressures, the UK lags behind peers like France and Germany in labour productivity.

“These conditions are hard to justify given the UK’s lower productivity levels compared to its European counterparts,” the report concluded.

As the Labour government moves forward with its agenda, the findings underscore the need for a delicate balance between protecting workers and addressing business concerns. Photo by Phil Whitehouse, Wikimedia commons.