A new survey suggests financial services workers are among the worst in the UK at tackling workplace stress with 49% saying they do little or nothing to reduce stress levels due to work.

The finance industry is the fifth worst in the UK for failing to relieve stress and this could be contributing to workers experiencing an unending ‘stress cycle,’ says the study by learning provider obby.co.uk.

Obby says that some employers are now providing ‘perks’ such as yoga, meditation or even arts and craft workshops to help employees beat work-related stress.

However almost 1 in 2 workers in finance are not doing anything to relieve stress with most blaming not having the time to do so, according to the survey of 1,015 employed UK adults.

Finance workers were topped only by those in professional services such as law (58%), accountancy (58%), education (55%), healthcare and associated trades (51%).

For the overwhelming majority of financial services workers who said they were doing nothing to relieve stress, lack of free time was cited as the biggest obstacle (71%).

With the average Briton working a 40.2 hour week not having the time to “decompress” from the daily grind could be damaging the nation’s workforce, says the research. For 1 in 4 in the sector, money is the reason post-work stress relieving activities are not pursued.

Of those who do regularly take measures to reduce work-related stress, exercise and sport topped the poll of most popular stress-busting activities.

Some 44% find relief from a physical pursuit, while enjoying personal interests and hobbies came a close second (39%). Meanwhile, 35% say they turn to spending time with friends and family to relax them.

Tom Batting, co-founder at Obby.co.uk said: “It’s extremely worrying how many workers within financial services claim they do not prioritise getting the stress relief that is so important for maintaining their mental health. The irony is that this can actually become a vicious cycle – if we don’t make time for stress relief, this can lead to becoming more stressed or even burnout, both of which can reduce productivity further.

“It’s in finance managers and bosses’ interests to ensure that employees actually do take measures to manage their stress levels – whether that’s communicating how important this, allowing them flexi-time so that they can attend whatever activity it is that they do to relieve stress, or even providing classes or workshops for their workforce.”

Mr Batting believes that reducing stress at work can boost employees’ focus, concentration and efficiency in the workplace.

He cited examples where employers have provided ‘perks’ such as yoga, meditation or even arts and craft workshops to help employees beat stress.

The company arranges for classes across a wide range of skills for employees including pottery, salsa, piano playing or learning.