![[UK] Workplace waterworks: a third of employees have cried at work in the past year](http://gpa.net/cdn/shop/articles/bigstock-Feeling-Tired-Frustrated-Youn-344083498_1200x.jpg?v=1722467744)
New research has revealed that more than a third of the UK’s workers have cried at work at least once in the past year.
The survey - conducted by Vision Direct of 2,000 people across the nation - showed that 66 per cent of the people brought to tears in the workplace were women, while just 34 per cent of those who cried were men.
Showing emotions at work is reportedly more common among younger generations; more than a third (34 per cent) of the workers who cried were Gen Z, followed by Millennials (27 per cent) and Gen X (16 per cent). Only 7 per cent of Boomers had shed tears while still at work.
Stress, burnout and the demands of work
The survey’s respondents had cried for multiple reasons but stress was cited as the root cause for more than half (55 per cent).
Work-related reasons came high on the list too, with nearly a third (27 per cent) stating that burnout at work makes them cry. For 15 per cent, work itself was the reason for crying, while losing a job would make 14 per cent of employees cry.
More than half (54 per cent) of all organisations in the UK are reportedly taking active steps to improve employee health and wellbeing. Despite this, the rates of burnout remain high with one in five workers expressing feeling burned out.
The Vision Direct study confirms that burnout is a significant reason to cry for nearly a third (27 per cent) of the nation. The results demonstrate that women are three times more likely to cry due to burnout than men, with 73 per cent of women reporting burnout-induced tears compared to only 27 per cent of men.
In addition, the results indicate that younger generations are more likely to cry due to burnout with a third (30 per cent) of Millennials stating it as a reason to cry, followed by Gen Z (27 per cent). Just 16 per cent of Gen X respondents said they would cry due to burnout.
Crying because of burnout reportedly affects those who are employed nearly 10 times more (68 per cent) than the self-employed (7 per cent).
The top careers which see workers crying due to burnout are:
1. Education
2. Healthcare and social assistance
3. Finance and insurance
4. Government and public services
5. Hotel and food services
6. Construction
Perceptions are changing
Happily, these days crying in front of colleagues isn't likely to impact their perception of you. The survey revealed that only a quarter of people (26 per cent) think it is not okay to cry in public and only one in 10 people judge people who are crying.
The tired and sexist stereotype that “crying is a sign of weakness” is changing. Sonal Thakra - an Integrative Psychotherapist, Counsellor and Trainer - said, “Attitudes towards crying are changing and the real change is shaped by our personal beliefs. People frequently apologise for crying, but I believe it's time to stop saying sorry for expressing our emotions.”
In fact, crying is a natural stress reliever, according to Ms Thakrar, “Crying is a natural biopsychosocial response, a part of the human experience from infancy that signals we’re in emotional overload and pain. Crying can provide relief and release pain, as research tells us that when we cry, our brain releases endorphins and oxytocin.”
The survey’s results reportedly align with that science. Nearly half of respondents (44 per cent) admit they feel calmer after crying and almost the same proportion (42 per cent) described feeling relieved.
The full study is available here.
New research has revealed that more than a third of the UK’s workers have cried at work at least once in the past year.
The survey - conducted by Vision Direct of 2,000 people across the nation - showed that 66 per cent of the people brought to tears in the workplace were women, while just 34 per cent of those who cried were men.
Showing emotions at work is reportedly more common among younger generations; more than a third (34 per cent) of the workers who cried were Gen Z, followed by Millennials (27 per cent) and Gen X (16 per cent). Only 7 per cent of Boomers had shed tears while still at work.
Stress, burnout and the demands of work
The survey’s respondents had cried for multiple reasons but stress was cited as the root cause for more than half (55 per cent).
Work-related reasons came high on the list too, with nearly a third (27 per cent) stating that burnout at work makes them cry. For 15 per cent, work itself was the reason for crying, while losing a job would make 14 per cent of employees cry.
More than half (54 per cent) of all organisations in the UK are reportedly taking active steps to improve employee health and wellbeing. Despite this, the rates of burnout remain high with one in five workers expressing feeling burned out.
The Vision Direct study confirms that burnout is a significant reason to cry for nearly a third (27 per cent) of the nation. The results demonstrate that women are three times more likely to cry due to burnout than men, with 73 per cent of women reporting burnout-induced tears compared to only 27 per cent of men.
In addition, the results indicate that younger generations are more likely to cry due to burnout with a third (30 per cent) of Millennials stating it as a reason to cry, followed by Gen Z (27 per cent). Just 16 per cent of Gen X respondents said they would cry due to burnout.
Crying because of burnout reportedly affects those who are employed nearly 10 times more (68 per cent) than the self-employed (7 per cent).
The top careers which see workers crying due to burnout are:
1. Education
2. Healthcare and social assistance
3. Finance and insurance
4. Government and public services
5. Hotel and food services
6. Construction
Perceptions are changing
Happily, these days crying in front of colleagues isn't likely to impact their perception of you. The survey revealed that only a quarter of people (26 per cent) think it is not okay to cry in public and only one in 10 people judge people who are crying.
The tired and sexist stereotype that “crying is a sign of weakness” is changing. Sonal Thakra - an Integrative Psychotherapist, Counsellor and Trainer - said, “Attitudes towards crying are changing and the real change is shaped by our personal beliefs. People frequently apologise for crying, but I believe it's time to stop saying sorry for expressing our emotions.”
In fact, crying is a natural stress reliever, according to Ms Thakrar, “Crying is a natural biopsychosocial response, a part of the human experience from infancy that signals we’re in emotional overload and pain. Crying can provide relief and release pain, as research tells us that when we cry, our brain releases endorphins and oxytocin.”
The survey’s results reportedly align with that science. Nearly half of respondents (44 per cent) admit they feel calmer after crying and almost the same proportion (42 per cent) described feeling relieved.
The full study is available here.