Stress is the leading health and wellbeing concern for automotive workers, according to the latest survey from industry charity Ben.
The report, which polled over 1,000 automotive workers, found that 57% cited stress as their top issue, followed by poor sleep (52%), anxiety (44%), low mood (41%), and a lack of relaxation time (43%).
Ben’s survey highlighted that almost all respondents experienced a health or wellbeing issue in the past year, with poor work-life balance increasing by six per cent to 38%. This problem is most prevalent among those working in showrooms, parts departments, and garages, where long hours, understaffing, and high workloads are common.
Mental health concerns have also worsened over the past 12 months, with one in nine workers reporting insufficient mental health support in the workplace. Ben revealed that automotive employees are more likely to suffer from poor work-life balance and mental health challenges compared to the broader UK workforce. Alarmingly, almost one in four respondents said they were considering leaving the industry, with half citing poor mental health as a primary reason.
Financial worries are also taking a toll, with one in six workers skipping meals and one in five struggling with debt. Among those considering leaving the sector, one in four reported financial problems as a key factor.
Rachel Clift, Chief Executive Officer at Ben, emphasised the significance of these findings: “This year’s survey results shed light on the biggest health and wellbeing challenges facing our automotive family. Stress remains the biggest issue, with many people citing they don’t feel they have enough time to switch off from work to rest and relax. Money worries are also clearly continuing to impact people’s lives, adding to these stresses.”
She added, “Following these results, we want to ensure that everyone who works, or has worked, in the automotive industry knows we’re there for them. Please get in touch if you’re struggling by visiting www.ben.org.uk/gethelp.”
The full report is available at www.ben.org.uk/surveyreport2025
