Birmingham has been named the most stressed city in the UK, with high workloads, unpaid tasks and financial pressures taking a toll on workers.

Research by workplace rental platform Instant Offices, which examined average salaries, gender pay gaps and Google searches for terms like “work stress” and “burnout”, has revealed the scale of work-related stress nationwide.

In 2024, stress, depression and anxiety resulted in an average of 21.1 days of work absence per employee, leading to 16.4 million lost workdays across the country. Birmingham’s combination of high burnout-related searches, lower-than-average salaries and a significant gender pay gap placed it at the top of the stress rankings.

The UK’s Most Stressed Regions

London had the highest volume of stress-related Google searches, but Birmingham ranked first overall for workplace stress. Coventry followed in second place, making the West Midlands the most stressed region in the UK.

Workers in these areas reported cutting back on social activities, exercise and self-care as they struggled to manage work-related pressures. The findings reflect a broader trend of increased stress across the UK, affecting employees’ wellbeing and productivity.

Key Causes of Burnout

The research identified several factors contributing to rising stress levels, including:

  • High workloads and unpaid tasks – Many employees work beyond contracted hours without compensation.
  • Regular overtime – Long hours and an “always-on” culture increase pressure and reduce recovery time.
  • Financial insecurity – The cost of living crisis is making it harder for workers to manage their finances.
  • Job instability – Concerns over redundancy and lack of career progression add to workplace anxiety.
  • Toxic work environments – Bullying, exclusion and poor management contribute to rising stress levels.

One in four UK adults now reports feeling stressed more often than not, while one in nine experiences daily stress.

Gender Pay Gaps and Stress Levels

Women are disproportionately affected, reporting an average of 11.7 days of stress per month, compared to 8.7 days for men. Cities with large gender pay gaps, such as Derby, Coventry and Luton, have particularly high stress levels among female workers.

The findings reinforce concerns that gender inequality continues to impact workplace wellbeing, with financial disparities and additional unpaid responsibilities adding to the burden.

How Workers Cope with Stress

The study also explored how workers manage stress, with the most effective strategies including:

  • Support from friends and family – Cited by 71% of respondents as their top stress reliever.
  • Maintaining a work-life balance – 56% believe this helps reduce stress.
  • Exercise – Also backed by 56% as an effective way to manage stress.

Workers with hybrid or remote work arrangements reported better work-life balance and lower stress levels than those in fixed-location roles.

Addressing Workplace Burnout

Employers have a crucial role to play in reducing workplace stress. Instant Offices suggests businesses consider flexible working arrangements, including hybrid models, to support employees juggling personal and professional commitments.

“Our team recently discussed how some high-income countries are showing a trend towards shorter workweeks, motivated by a strong focus on work-life balance and employee wellness,” a spokesperson said.

“Following a pilot programme in 2023, 92% of companies who trialled a four-day week decided to continue after seeing an upswing in productivity and employee wellbeing, as well as a reduction in burnout, sick days and turnover. The popularity of this model is set to grow in the year to come.”

With burnout rates rising and stress-related absences increasing, businesses that adopt strategies to improve employee wellbeing may see benefits in both productivity and retention. As more companies explore alternative working models, the findings suggest that addressing stress in the workplace could become a priority for employers in 2024.