Almost 70% of UK employees report feeling overwhelmed at work, yet stress levels vary significantly throughout the country. A new study by a substance testing company analyzed employee conditions across British local authorities to identify the most stressful places to work.
The research evaluated working stress levels using five indicators: percentage of residents working 49+ hours weekly, median monthly salaries, average commute times, unemployment rates, and monthly living costs. These factors were combined to create overall stress rankings, with long working hours and commute considered the most important elements.
Here’s a look at the top 10 most stressful places to work in the UK:
| City | Working Long Hours (%) | Median Monthly Pay (£) | Commute Time (Minutes) | Unemployment Rate (%) | Monthly Living Cost (£) | Stress Score |
| London | 19.8% | 5951 | 18.9 | 6.4% | 1058 | 99 |
| Stratford-upon-Avon | 6.6% | 2595 | 33 | 5.2% | 850 | 91 |
| Farnham | 7.1% | 2915 | 41 | 4.1% | 950 | 85 |
| Hemel Hempstead | 6.1% | 2785 | 41 | 4.5% | 870 | 83 |
| Saffron Walden | 6.9% | 2732 | 36 | 4.5% | 915 | 78 |
| Hertford | 6.7% | 2926 | 38 | 4.5% | 915 | 71 |
| Oxted | 6.9% | 2928 | 44 | 4.1% | 860 | 69 |
| Esher | 8.6% | 3373 | 42 | 4.1% | 860 | 68 |
| Epsom | 6.3% | 3119 | 42 | 4.1% | 950 | 66 |
| Camberley | 6.5% | 2964 | 38 | 4.1% | 950 | 62 |
You can access the complete research findings here.
The City of London ranks first as Britain’s most intense work environment. The financial district has nearly 20% of its residents working excessive hours, which is four times the national average. Despite posting the highest salaries at almost £6,000 monthly, workers spend over £1,000 on monthly living costs. The City’s unemployment rate currently sits at 6.4%, adding job market pressure.
Stratford-upon-Avon takes second place in work-related stress rankings. Here, almost 7% of employees work long hours while earning £2,600 monthly against living costs of £850. Residents spend over 10 hours weekly traveling to and from work, much longer than London workers. Unemployment in Stratford closely follows London’s rate and stands at 5.2%.
Waverley (Farnham) comes in third place as a major stress zone. Around 7% of employees have to work over 49 hours weekly. The average salary amounts to £2,900 monthly, while household expenses reach £950, significantly more than the national average. Residents in Waverly also lose around 15 hours each month in daily commutes.
Dacorum (Hemel Hempstead) takes fourth place with around 6% of the working population putting in long hours. Locals earn £2,800 monthly on average, out of which £870 goes to basic spending needs. Employers face 41-minute journeys to work, matching Waverley’s duration. With unemployment at 4.5%, job market competition could be potentially adding extra strain.
Uttlesford (Saffron Walden) holds fifth position. This area has 7% of hirees working over 49 hours weekly while receiving the lowest salary in the top ten at £2,700 monthly. This creates financial pressure against £915 living costs. Residents have to do a 36-minute commute every day, while the place posts a 4.5% unemployment rate.
East Hertfordshire (Hertford) comes sixth in Britain’s workplace stress list. Nearly 7% of locals have to work more than 49 hours while earning £2,900 monthly. The basic expenses here reach £915. The area also requires over 14 hours weekly of commuting for residents. Unemployment equals 4.5%, reflecting regional job market pressures.
Tandridge (Oxted) earns seventh position. The district registers 7% of employees working long hours, combined with the punishing commutes – residents spend over 44 minutes daily traveling to the workplace, the highest among all ranked locations. Salaries here average £2,900 while living costs stay at £860.
Elmbridge (Esher) comes in eighth place despite its affluent status. The borough reports one of the longest work days, with 8.5% of the population putting in over 49 hours weekly. Workers receive £3,400 monthly – the second-highest salary in the rankings. Daily commutes require 15 hours weekly of travel time, while basic costs stand at £860 – still more than the national average.
Epsom and Ewell (Epsom) takes ninth place, continuing Surrey’s workplace stress leadership. The racecourse town shows 6% of local employees working long hours while earning £3,100 monthly earnings against £950 living costs. Residents spend 42 minutes daily traveling to and from work.
Surrey Heath (Camberley) rounds out the top ten, confirming Surrey’s reputation as Britain’s workplace pressure epicenter. 7% of employees here dedicate 49+ hours to their job. Residents also spend nearly 14 hours monthly on commuting. Local salaries reach £3,000, but living costs hit £950, with the consistent 4% unemployment rates across Surrey’s districts fueling work-related anxieties.
“The research reveals a troubling pattern where Britain’s most prosperous regions have become workplace stress epicenters,” says James Gunter, Sales Director at a substance testing company. “London’s extreme working culture sets a potentially dangerous precedent, while Surrey’s commuter belt shows how high housing costs and long travel times create daily pressures. The data suggests that economic success doesn’t automatically translate to worker wellbeing.”