UK reaches 5 million mental health sick days

Analysis by Simplyhealth finds that the 24 March – the 58^th working day of the year – saw the estimated total number of sick days taken this year reach 5,066,403. 

Alongside this concerning milestone, new research commissioned by Simplyhealth reveals the scale of employees reporting having experienced mental health-related conditions in the past year and how much sick leave this resulted in.

Specifically, the research finds: 

• Nearly a third (30%) of all employees report having experienced anxiety or depression in the past year, with a further 25% reporting stress or burnout in the same time period.
• Those who took sick leave for anxiety or depression in the past year took an average of 7.1 days off, while those with stress and burnout took 5.9 days off over the same period.

As well as revealing the proportion of the workforce experiencing mental-ill health, and corresponding days of sick leave, the results also highlight differences between age groups in how they respond to and manage their mental health. 

The research shows that while younger employees are significantly more likely to take time off for mental health issues in short bursts, older workers are taking substantially longer periods of absence when they take sick leave for mental ill-health.

Younger workers

• Around one in five 18-34 year old workers report taking time off for anxiety or depression (20%) and stress or burnout (21%) in the past year.
• In total, 18-34 year olds who took time off in the past year for anxiety and depression took an average of 5.5 days off, while those experiencing stress and burnout took an average of 3.8 days off over the same period of time.

Older workers

• Around one in ten 35-54 year olds report taking time off for anxiety or depression (13%) and stress or burnout (10%) in the past 12 months.
• Around one in twenty workers aged 55 and over report taking time off for anxiety or depression (7%) and stress or burnout (4%) in the past year.
• 35-54 year olds who took time off from anxiety or depression in the last year took an average of 8.3 days off work, while those who took time off for stress and burnout took an average of 8.5 days.
• Workers aged 55 or over who took time off work for depression and anxiety in the past year took an average of 9.7 days off wok, while those who experienced stress and burnout in the past year took 10.3 days off work – much longer than 18-34 year olds, suggesting that older workers are more likely to take sick leave when mental ill-health approaches more of a crisis point.

With poor mental health and stress affecting so many UK workers, thousands of businesses are trying to implement preventative support to help employees manage stress. Last year’s Health and Wellbeing Report from CIPD found that 64% of organisations are taking steps to identify and/or reduce stress in the workplace. However, only 50% of organisations agree that their current efforts are actually effective at reducing stress for workers.

Paul Schreier, CEO at Simplyhealth, said: “Poor mental health is having a profound impact on workers of all ages in the UK. We have already seen 5 million working days lost to poor mental health this year, with millions more to come.

“While younger workers are more likely to take time off for mental health, they tend to take shorter periods of leave, whereas older generations take longer but fewer periods of leave when needed. The findings underline how mental health does not have a “one-size fits all” solution, with symptoms presenting differently and often in conjunction with other conditions. It’s a reminder for the need to offer a range of support options that are flexible and tailored to employees’ different life stages.”

Mark Rowland, chief executive of the Mental Health Foundation added: “Creating conditions for people to thrive at work is good for everyone. Tackling mental health problems early with a preventative approach is one of the best ways to support employees to be healthy and happy in the workplace and reduce periods of absence. Workplaces can be stressful environments, but they can also give us much needed meaning and connection that is vital for our mental health. By cultivating healthy cultures and putting in effective support, employers can help their staff stay healthy and grow both professionally and personally.”

Sarah McIntosh, chief executive at MHFA England and the Association of Mental Health First Aiders added: “Most adults spend at least a third of their time at work. Prevention and early intervention are central to creating mentally healthy workplaces. When managers and employees have the right knowledge and tools, they’re better able to spot the warning signs of poor mental health, start conversations with confidence, and signpost to appropriate support. Through our partnership with Simplyhealth and to support more employers to create mentally healthy workplaces, we are offering fully funded places for SMEs (Small to Medium sized Enterprises) on one of our upcoming virtual ‘Mental Health Aware’ courses. To book your funded place, please click here”.