Employees are slightly less likely to lie about needing to take time off work due to poor mental health, according to research from Nuffield Health.
It’s latest Healthier Nation Index which surveyed 8,000 UK adults found 35% of UK employees said they called in sick due to poor mental health but gave another reason.
This was down from 39% in last year’s report.
This year’s report also found more than one in four people (29%) felt comfortable enough to disclose to their employer if they needed time off due to poor mental health.
Lisa Gunn, mental health prevention lead at Nuffield Health, said: “We are passionate about building a healthier nation and know that challenging work environments and stress can have a huge knock-on effect on both our physical and mental wellbeing.
“As well as the day-to-day worries that come with our personal and working lives, employees have also had to deal with the impact of a global pandemic and now the ongoing cost-of-living crisis.
“All these stressors combined can significantly affect the mental health of employees, so it’s more important than ever that businesses find ways to create open, transparent, and connected workplace environments.
“When people feel supported and able to reach out to their employer, this can have a positive impact on their mental health alone and help them better address feelings of worry and anxiety.
“That’s why we are calling on other UK workplaces to #Find5 minutes to look after their bodies and minds. Just by spending five extra minutes on personal wellbeing a day can significantly boost mental and physical health.”