According to a study, 24% of the UK’s van drivers have faced depression or mental health issues caused by work in the past year.
The study by Volkswagen Commercial Vehicles revealed that a poor work-life balance, 32%, and working too many hours, 28%, were cited as some of the top causes of worry and stress leading to mental health issues.
A total of 51% of the 1,000 UK van drivers surveyed reported feeling overwhelmed by work every month. Respondents attributed this to a sharp increase in working hours as 60% of UK van drivers have seen their working hours increase, with as many as 40% working 10 hours or more per day. One in 10 respondents admitted to working 13 hours or more per day.
Volkswagen Commercial Vehicles has urged van drivers to prioritise their mental health to mark International Stress Awareness Week, by raising awareness of the impact that working long hours can bring.
In the UK, the legal limit for work is 48 hours per week on average, unless workers sign an agreement to opt out of this limit. The study highlighted that many van drivers are working significantly more hours than the legal weekly limit allows.
Eve Tyers, head of marketing & communications at Volkswagen Commercial Vehicles, said: “These findings clearly show the alarming number of van drivers in the UK that are feeling overworked and overwhelmed, as well as the impact this is having on their mental health. We’re therefore encouraging van drivers to prioritise their wellbeing, making sure to take the breaks they need to remain in good physical and mental shape day-to-day.”