How is your boss doing at work? That's the question, at least according to a survey conducted by the company Falck Health and Work Life and reviewed by TT.
With data collected from over 4,000 people in managerial positions, the survey shows that a large proportion experience significant work-related stress.
In general, as a manager you find the job stimulating; it is motivating and you want to be there for your employees. However, the managerial role looks different today than it did before, with an extremely high administrative load, says Lena-Karin Allinger, psychologist and organizational consultant at Falck.
For example, one in four managers say they don't have time to complete their work tasks on time. Among employees, 15.9 percent say the same.
We work in a completely different way today; we don't disconnect when we're at home and are available in a different way. This also affects managers to a greater extent, points out Lena-Karin Allinger.
Risk of ill health
Around one in three managers are now reported to have stress levels that could pose a risk of ill health, with stress levels being highest in the middle of their careers (age range 30–39).
There is also a group that is particularly vulnerable, namely female managers.
Female managers are overrepresented in industries with tough conditions, such as healthcare. Even though we have greater gender equality today than historically, women still take greater responsibility for family life, and this creates a higher burden, says Lena-Karin Allinger.
Different drinking pattern
Previous studies have also shown a different pattern of alcohol consumption among managers.
They drink slightly more often; it's not about large amounts, but about frequency. We also know that alcohol consumption combined with stress is a risk factor.
At the same time, working life is constantly evolving, not least through the use of AI. However, whether it will help or hinder is not clear, points out Lena-Karin Allinger.
Today's managerial role is less about controlling employees, and more about motivating and creating conditions. It's a relational job and I don't think you can use AI for that in the same way.
Facts: How the survey was conducted
The report "How is the manager doing?" is based on 4,082 health and work environment profiles conducted with managers across the country between January 1 and December 31, 2025.
Comparisons with employees are in turn based on 19,150 health and work environment profiles from the same period.
When it comes to age categories, the largest number of responses is in the group of male managers, 50-59 years old, where 944 managers answered the questions. The lowest number of managers is in the group of women under 30, where a total of 68 managers are included.
