Automotive industry charity, Ben, has launched this year’s annual health and wellbeing report revealing results from its most recent survey, which polled over 1,000 automotive workers. The top five health and wellbeing issues identified for automotive workers are stress (57%), poor sleep (52%), anxiety (44%), low mood (41%) and not taking time out (to rest or relax) (43%).

Almost all survey respondents were personally affected by a health & wellbeing issue during the previous year.​ Poor work-life balance has increased by 6%, to 38%, and this issue is most common for those working in showrooms, parts departments, and garages. Long hours, low staffing levels and high workloads are also growing concerns.

Mental health scores have got worse over the past 12 months and automotive workers cited they believe employers need to do more to support them, with 1 in 9 people personally affected by a lack of support for mental health in the workplace. The survey results continue to show that automotive workers are more likely to experience issues with work-life balance and mental health, compared to other UK workers. Furthermore, mental health issues remain the most prominent of the top 10 issues, affecting hundreds of people in the automotive industry.

The survey also revealed that almost 1 in 4 automotive workers are considering leaving the industry and, of these people, 1 in 2 are considering doing due to poor mental health.

Money worries remain a big problem for automotive workers with many still impacted by cost-of-living pressures. 1 in 6 people reported skipping meals, 1 in 5 have experienced issues with debt and 1 in 4 of those considering leaving the industry reported they had financial problems.