How stress is impacting the rail workforce

The rail industry is undergoing significant modernisation, with multiple private and public sector projects planned to deliver a digitally transformed railway infrastructure that’s fit for the future. However, while it is an exciting time for rail, the workforce is also feeling the impact of stress, burnout and short or long-term poor mental health.

According to the latest data from The Rail Industry Health and Wellbeing Performance Indicators Report, factors such as organisational change, demanding shift patterns, presenteeism and gaps in line manager training are all contributing to a challenging experience for rail employees.

The impact of absences

The impact these high levels of stress are having on the sector is significant. The average lost-time rate in rail is 4.07%, which equates to over seven lost days per employee per year - significantly higher than the national average of 2.06%. The cost of these absences is around £1,874 per employee per year, £369 more than for employers in other industries, amounting to tens of millions of pounds in avoidable costs annually. This also has the potential to create bottlenecks that slow down modernisation projects and impede the transformation that’s required to support wider economic growth.

The wider picture of workplace stress in the UK

Stress is not limited to the rail industry of course, and according to a recent survey of 4,500 of the general population, as many as 20% of workers have taken time off due to poor mental health. Among the top reasons for absences at work, both self-reported and employer-recorded, are mental health problems such as anxiety, stress, and depression.

Across the UK, 22.1 million working days are lost per year amid a growing workforce reporting high or extreme pressure levels. There is also a perceived gap between how businesses say they support mental health and the experience individuals have, with 29% of employees saying managers do not have the time, training, or resources to properly support staff in this area.

Without proper care, recovery from stress will take longer or potentially result in long-term or repeated absences, and there is an opportunity and an obligation for employers across all sectors to do more to support poor mental health.

Why addressing stress helps everyone

Stress at work is not just an employer issue but a societal one. With the rail sector employing tens of thousands of people across the UK, there is a duty for industry leaders to address stress-related issues, not only for economic resilience but also for public safety, community wellbeing and avoidable pressure on other services such as the NHS.

While we know that employers can do more to support their workers, what can we do as individuals to ensure that our mental health is not at risk?

Tips to ease stress and stay on track

While stress-related illnesses are often serious and require medical intervention, some people find they can positively impact their situation using tips such as these...

1. Try a reset break – even a 5-minute pause between tasks can help, so ensure you step outside, stretch, or grab fresh air to reset the body and mind.
2. Think of having ‘micro escapes' rather than saving time for one bigger break. Use short moments to take a break, change your scenery, use mindfulness apps or find a quiet corner for some deep breathing.
3. Music can be a powerful antidote for stress, so create an uplifting playlist you can access on your break or your commute home - upbeat, relaxing, nostalgic, whatever helps you decompress.
4. Staying hydrated is important for your mind as well as your body, so keep a refillable bottle and challenge yourself to finish it by the end of the shift.
5. Lean on the people around you, chat to a colleague if you can. It doesn’t need to be about how you’re feeling (unless you want to) - even a brief conversation can shift your mindset and boost camaraderie.
6. Download some light-hearted podcasts or short comedy clips to help move your brain out of work mode and provide a laugh when needed
7. Moving your body is a powerful way of easing tension. Start by walking on lunch breaks or stretching before/after shifts and create little challenges or change routes often to keep it interesting

When to reach out for support

Knowing when and where to seek support is an important part of managing stress. Workers should feel able to speak openly with line managers, wellbeing leads or union representatives if they are struggling, whether stress is affecting their performance, attendance or overall health. Support is available, and many rail employers are investing more than ever in mental health resources, training and interventions. Reaching out early can help prevent stress escalating into longer-term absence or illness and ensures individuals can access the right guidance and adjustments as soon as possible.

Supporting each other during Stress Awareness Month

Stress is common and nothing to be ashamed of, particularly in high-pressure industries such as rail. By acknowledging this openly, we can all help reduce stigma and encourage healthier conversations about mental wellbeing. Small, everyday habits, alongside informal check-ins with colleagues, can make a real difference over time.

While structural challenges such as shift patterns and organisational change require long-term solutions, meaningful progress also comes from everyday actions, open conversations and early intervention. This Stress Awareness Month is an opportunity for employers, managers and workers across the rail industry to pause, reflect and act. By prioritising wellbeing, encouraging support and taking stress seriously, the sector can protect its people and build a more resilient, sustainable workforce for the future.