We talk a lot about looking the part, dressing for success and climbing the career ladder, but what happens when the pressure to keep everything together becomes too much? A new report from LiveCareer UK has revealed a rather uncomfortable truth about the modern British workplace: eight in ten men are hiding stress, burnout or mental health struggles because they feel the need to appear strong, capable and professional. Apparently, even in 2026, admitting that you’re not quite firing on all cylinders remains a difficult thing for many men to do.
Released ahead of Movember, the Men’s Workplace Wellbeing Report surveyed 700 employed men across the UK and uncovered the extent to which traditional expectations around masculinity continue to influence men’s working lives. An astonishing 84% admitted to concealing mental health difficulties at work, with 22% saying they do so constantly and a further 62% occasionally. Perhaps even more tellingly, 89% believe men are still expected to ‘tough it out’ rather than admit when they’re struggling.
And this isn’t simply about keeping a brave face during a particularly challenging Monday morning. The findings point towards a much wider issue, with the pressure to appear strong having potentially serious consequences for men’s health, relationships and careers. Eight in ten respondents (80%) said they had worked while sick or exhausted because they didn’t want to appear weak, while the same proportion associated losing their job with personal failure rather than simply a financial setback.
For many men, professional success and personal identity remain closely intertwined. Some 76% admitted that how much they earn affects how successful they feel as a man, while 68% experience at least some pressure to earn enough to support themselves or those who depend on them. More than half (54%) described this pressure as significant or intense.
It is little wonder, then, that some are prepared to put up with working conditions that would otherwise have them heading for the exit. Almost four in ten (39%) have tolerated unreasonable workloads because of financial responsibilities, 32% have accepted inadequate pay, 31% have endured poor treatment from a manager and 30% have remained in a toxic workplace culture.
The sacrifices aren’t confined to office hours either. More than half (52%) said they had sacrificed sleep because of work or the pressure to earn more, while 43% had given up valuable time with family and friends. The irony is that the very things many men are working so hard to provide for can end up being the things they have least time to enjoy.
Perhaps one of the most concerning findings is the lack of meaningful conversations around wellbeing in the workplace. Nearly half (48%) said their line manager had checked in specifically about their stress or mental wellbeing only once or not at all during the previous 12 months. More than one-third (38%) said they had received no such conversation whatsoever.
So why aren’t men speaking up? Fear of judgement or stigma was identified by 36% of respondents, while 31% preferred to deal with problems independently. A further 30% worried that admitting to mental health difficulties could damage their career prospects, while concerns around privacy, confidentiality and a lack of trust in managers also featured prominently.
The consequences for employers are becoming increasingly difficult to ignore. Two-thirds (66%) of men surveyed had considered leaving or actually left a job because of its negative impact on their mental health. While 42% had thought about leaving but ultimately stayed, almost one in four (24%) had walked away altogether. That’s a significant retention challenge for businesses, as well as a reminder that workplace culture has a very real impact on people’s lives.
Interestingly, when asked what employers could do to improve their mental wellbeing, men prioritised practical changes over simply talking about the issue. More flexible working arrangements topped the list at 41%, followed by more manageable workloads (35%). Affordable and confidential mental health services were identified by 22%, while clearer boundaries around after-hours work came in at 21%. Manager training and additional paid mental health leave also featured.
Dr Jasmine Escalera, career expert at LiveCareer UK, believes employers need to do more to challenge the stigma surrounding men’s mental health. She explains: “There’s a critical need for workplaces to create an environment where men feel comfortable speaking openly about mental health.” She also highlights how outdated perceptions can encourage men to suffer silently, arguing that a stronger sense of belonging and support can prevent mental health struggles from going unchecked.
The findings are particularly relevant as Movember returns this November, putting men’s mental and physical health firmly in the spotlight. While the annual campaign has helped bring conversations around men’s wellbeing, suicide prevention and prostate and testicular cancer into the mainstream, this research suggests there is still plenty of work to do when it comes to the everyday pressures men face.
Ultimately, being strong shouldn’t mean suffering in silence, and professional success shouldn’t come at the expense of personal wellbeing. Whether it’s a more supportive manager, a manageable workload or simply having the confidence to say that things aren’t quite right, perhaps it’s time we reconsidered what strength really looks like.
Because being a man isn’t about having to carry everything on your shoulders. And sometimes the bravest thing you can do is admit that you need a hand.
For more information, read the full LiveCareer UK Men’s Workplace Wellbeing Report here: https://www.livecareer.co.uk/career-advice/mens-mental-health-at-work
Research methodology: The report is based on a nationally representative survey of 700 currently employed British men, conducted by LiveCareer UK using Pollfish on 15 September 2026.
