Retail staff suffering higher tolls on mental wellbeing, report shows   

Retail workers are suffering the lowest levels of mental wellbeing of any employee group with the pandemic continuing to worsen staff’s mental health, a new research by retail charity retailTRUST has revealed.

The charity has called on the industry to champion health of workforce after the survey of retail staff returned an average wellbeing rating of just 35 out of 70 where the lower scores reflect a lower state of mental wellbeing.

The adult average in England is 50, and the figure of retail staff is much lower than that of people working within a range of other sectors, including healthcare and education.

As per the survey, 84 per cent of retail workers have seen their mental health deteriorating during the pandemic, leading to symptoms like increased anxiety, changes in eating or sleeping habits and long-lasting sadness for more than a third of staff. Nearly two thirds of retail managers said they had been left overwhelmed by the extra work created by the pandemic.

People working on the shop floor and in distribution warehouses, as well as younger retail workers in their 20s, have the lowest levels of wellbeing according to the study.

RetailTRUST is organising a digital event next week on 10-11 May to address mental health pressures of the UK retail’s four million strong workforce, with former political aide and mental health advocate Alastair Campbell taking part to stress why employers should drive openness around mental health.

“Retail workers been hard hit financially, emotionally and physically over the last 12 months as our research shows, and it is clear that the retail sector now has a vital role to play in building hope, health and happiness as we move out of this crisis,” Chris Brook-Carter, chief executive of retailTRUST, said.

“Businesses who step up now will be rewarded with healthier and happier workers, a positive culture and ultimately, business growth.”

The charity said the demand for its financial and wellbeing services hit record levels last year with more than £800,000 in financial aid provided last year to help retail workers stay in their own homes and meet other essential needs, a 125 per cent rise on 2019. The charity also ran more than 6,000 counselling sessions as demand for its mental health support grew by 164 per cent.