Over 50% fear losing their job without clear reason; 39% have cried at work: Report

About 40% of employees have cried at work, highlighting the growing emotional strain embedded in today’s workplace, according to a new research from Resume Now. 

The findings from ‘Quiet Cry Report’ underlined that 14% of employees have cried multiple times on the job, while 25% said they have done so once or twice. Another 21% reported that although they haven’t cried at work, they have come close.

“These findings show that emotional strain is no longer an isolated workplace issue, but a defining feature of the modern employee experience,” the report noted.

According to the study, emotional stress often surfaces during the workday after building up over time without relief. “Crying at work or feeling close to tears reflects pressure that has built up over time, often without a clear release valve,” the report said, adding that many workers are carrying emotional weight into their daily routines.

Job insecurity and heavy workloads fuel stress

Heavy workloads and long hours remain key contributors to emotional strain. However, ongoing uncertainty about job security is compounding the pressure. 

More than half (52%) of employees said they worry about losing their job, even when there is no clear indication of risk. Among them, 24% worry constantly, while 28% do so occasionally.

“When employees are left guessing about their stability, that constant mental pressure can build over time, causing widespread worker burnout and making stress harder to contain and more likely to surface during the workday,” the report said.

Venting to office colleagues or friends has emerged as a common coping mechanism. The research found that 55% of employees vent or complain about their job at least occasionally, whether to friends, colleagues, or on social media. 

Around 34% said they do so frequently, ranging from daily to a few times a week.

While venting may provide temporary relief, the report cautioned that it does little to address underlying issues. Over time, such patterns can normalise frustration as part of everyday work life, shaping how employees relate to their roles and colleagues.

The emotional toll is also influencing behaviour at work. According to the findings, 41% of employees admitted to updating their CV during work hours, while 39% engaged in other job-search activities such as interview preparation or networking.

Nearly half (49%) said they use work time for personal tasks, including shopping, appointments, or errands. While 40% said they try to re-engage, 46% acknowledged redirecting their energy elsewhere, such as upskilling, handling non-work tasks, or searching for new roles.

“Many shift their energy elsewhere or scale back their effort, suggesting that disengagement often shows up as quiet withdrawal rather than open frustration,” the report said, warning that such patterns can affect performance, momentum, and employees’ sense of connection to their work.

Keith Spencer, career expert at Resume Now, said the challenge for employers is that emotional strain often remains invisible until it is too late. “By the time disengagement becomes obvious, the emotional damage has already been done,” Spencer said.

Meanwhile, UK-based HR solutions provider Ciphr outlined several steps employers can take to reduce stress. These include equipping employees with the right tools, encouraging work-life balance, promoting physical wellbeing, prioritising access to mental health resources, supporting financial literacy, and establishing clear communication channels.

Ciphr added that fostering a positive workplace culture and investing in capable HR teams are critical to mitigating stress before it escalates. “The success of these solutions rests on having in place a capable, experienced HR team that has the capacity to promote stress-reduction activities, and help line managers mitigate employees’ stress levels,” the company said.