In the UK alone, there are over 1 million people working as delivery drivers. Many of these are self employed and insurance is a major worry - juggling the obligatory hire and reward insurance, liability insurance, goods in transit insurance, personal accident insurance - all of these are expenses that bite deeply into already tight margins. The majority though are full time employees; in fact, driving is now one of the most common jobs in the country, with a third of all job vacancies in England being for delivery drivers specifically. Despite this, many drivers operate under stressful conditions and are prone to anxiety as a result. To give you an insight into the world of delivery drivers and their working conditions, we’ve outlined some of the main stats regarding stress and anxiety among UK delivery drivers:
According to a survey carried out by the GMB union, one in five delivery drivers are suffering from stress, depression, or anxiety. Another survey conducted by the British Trust for Ornithology found that 94% of delivery drivers had seen a bird strike their vehicle, which can be fatal for the animal. It’s likely that these two facts are linked, with the stressful nature of the job and the high number of collisions affecting the mental health of drivers. The heavy workload, long hours spent behind the wheel, and unstable income are all factors that contribute to the high levels of stress and anxiety in the delivery industry. There’s also the added pressure of knowing that the livelihood of other people, such as those waiting for their order, is in your hands.
According to a study by the British Psychological Society, repeated episodes of high stress are likely to become a long-term problem. The study recommends that when an individual experiences a stressful event, they should have a period of time to recover between events. If a stressful event is repeated, then this can lead to stress becoming a long-term problem.
When it comes to delivery drivers, there are multiple potential events that could cause stress, including:
These stressors can lead to short-term episodes of stress, but repeated exposure can lead to long-term problems. Long-term stress can often lead to anxiety, depression, and other mental health issues. In fact, research published in BMC Public Health shows that around 58% of individuals who report suffering from work-related stress also report suffering from poor mental health.
The effects of stress on delivery drivers can be wide-reaching, from affecting their mental health to impacting their general health. Some of the potential effects of stress among delivery drivers include: - Increased chance of developing long-term mental health issues - Increased risk of developing physical health issues - Declining mental sharpness and productivity - Increased risk of work accidents among delivery drivers As well as these potential outcomes, there are also potential long-term effects of stress on drivers. These include the risk of burnout and losing the ability to perform in stressful situations. Long-term stress can also lead to a decline in overall health and well-being. This could manifest itself in a variety of ways, including an increased risk of heart attack, elevated blood pressure levels, and increased risk of developing diabetes.
Fortunately, there are a range of things employers can do to help reduce the level of stress among delivery drivers. These include taking steps to improve the working conditions of drivers, improving the working environment, and offering support and guidance to drivers. Some of the ways employers can do this include: - Ensuring drivers have good working conditions - Providing drivers with the equipment and support they need - Creating a supportive environment for drivers - Offering guidance and mental health support to drivers Employers can also help reduce the level of stress among drivers by reducing their workload. This could include reducing the number of deliveries each driver has to make, as well as reducing the number of hours each driver is on the road. Employers could also consider hiring more drivers to spread the workload more evenly.
Drivers working in the delivery industry face a number of challenges, both on and off the road. As such, it’s not surprising that the majority of drivers experience a certain level of stress. What is surprising, though, is just how many drivers are affected by stress and its related issues, such as anxiety. Luckily, employers have the power to reduce the amount of stress among drivers by making a few changes.
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