The study by rungway – an app to meet, help and be helped on work and life issues – questioned 2,000 UK workers in full time employment.
Compared to just 14 per cent of men, 20 per cent of women surveyed fear they will be considered as a pest if they ask for help in dealing with work and life problems. The study found that 49 per cent of respondents would never ask for guidance when dealing with work-related problems.
Julie Chakraverty, founder at rungway, said: “It seems there is a lot of variation in peoples’ approach to managing work issues, but a common thread throughout is that some people are afraid of asking for help and being seen as a pest, even when work issues affect their sleep every week.”
Almost one in five, 19 per cent, said that the work issues affect their sleep on a weekly basis, but sadly, 10 per cent said they felt they have no one to talk to, or that no one would understand their work concerns.
Workers in Oxford (32 per cent), Belfast (25 per cent) and London (24 per cent) are losing the most sleep over work their issues on a weekly basis, compared only 12 per cent of workers in Glasgow.
Interestingly, those aged between 18 to 34 are the most fearful of being considered a pest, with many indicating this as the main reason for not seeking advice. Among the 25 to 34-year-old demographic, 18 per cent cited that no one would understand their work issue, 14 per cent said they have no one to turn to, while 12 per cent they were afraid to ask.
Among 35 to 44-year-olds (23 per cent) and 45 to 54-year-olds (22 per cent) the main reason for not asking for advice is because they feel other people are too busy to help, and those over 55 years are the least likely to look for guidance on workplace issues (69 per cent).
Chakraverty added: “Ignoring issues can make things worse, and what we’ve seen on rungway is that many people around us do want to help and are offering advice regularly.”
You should also read:
Grit and grip: leading your team through tough times with tenacity and hard work
