Food Manufacturing Ranks as One of the Most Stressful Industries

Experts at TRĒ House, a cannabinoid company, have analyzed 26 different factors, including wages, hours worked, and paid sick leave to compile a list of the most stressful industries in the U.S. The list was then put into an index and each industry was given a score out of 100. The lower the score, the more stressful the industry. 

“This study shows there are many factors to consider when stress is involved. Some of these industries might look easy on the surface but the inner workings and compensation for employees could lead to a much more stressful environment," said TRĒ House spokesperson Jameson Rodgers.

Hadded that of the 71 industries studied, 25 had more than 10% of employees with a second job, and all had more than 30% of their workforce worried about paying medical bills. 
 

Most stressful industries in the US

Warehousing and storage is the most stressful industry in the U.S. scoring 28.92/100. The data found that 93% of workers reported being paid hourly. With an hourly wage, workers can find themselves disadvantaged when it comes to taking time off, as any missed hours are taken from their pay. The average amount of sleep for someone in this industry is 6.82 hours, and 12% also reported working another job. 

Nursing and residential care facilities ranks as the second most stressful industry, with a score of 33.16/100. 11% reported that they had another job in addition, and only 43.9% reported being satisfied with their healthcare options.

Waste management and related services closely follow in third with a score of 37.01/100. 75.5% of the industry report that they are worried about paying medical bills, while 64.0% report being unable to pay medical bills at all.  The data also shows that only 34.7% of this industry have paid sick leave. 

Food manufacturing ranks fourth with a score of 39.12/100. 80.0% report being paid hourly in this industry due to working in similar conditions to warehouse staff. Those in the industry also reported that 60% are unable to pay medical bills. 

Food Services follows with 39.19/100. Only 22.0% report that paid sick leave is available and 62.1% of the industry still report that they cannot pay medical bills. 11.2% also say that they have a second job. 

Mining support is sixth with 39.25/100. 58.8% of this industry report that they are paid hourly instead of monthly and 50.6% are worried about paying medical bills. These industry folks works on average 52 hours per week, the longest working hours in this list. 

Wood products rank seventh with 39.29/100 Wood products as an industry reported that 10.5% have a second job.

Hotels and accommodation rank eighth with a score of 39.67/100. For those working in accommodation, 66.7% report being unable to pay medical bills.

General merchandise stores are ninth with 41.66/100. The average number of hours worked in general retail is 36.20. 

Health and personal care stores are tenth on the list with 41.69/100. Over 70% of the industry is paid hourly. 

A common link between all industries in the list is the stress and worry over not being able to pay medical bills or being paid hourly. Robust support in these areas, such as better insurance cover or being paid a salary, would help employees to feel less stressed and would give peace of mind, TreHouse stated.

In other studies, manufacturing ranks as a top stressful industry as well as food, transportation & distribution, hospitality, and retail.