More than four in 10 UK adults (44%) have taken at least four weeks off work during their careers due to illness, injury or mental health challenges, according to research by The Exeter.
It found absences were highest among men, with half (49%) stating they had taken an extended period off work, and 18% of those doing so within the past year.
In comparison, 39% of female workers had taken an extended period off work, 9% of those absences occurring in the last year.
The issue was particularly present among adults aged 25-34, where 62% reported having taken extended leave at some point in their lives.
Extended absences were least common among small business owners (21%), compared to 53% of employees employed by a medium sized company (50-249 employees) and 51% of employees at larger firms of over 250+ employees.
The mutual’s survey of 2,000 UK consumers found location appeared to influence how likely people are to take extended time off work.
Half of respondents in Greater London (50%) reported taking an extended period off work – the highest of any region. This compared with just 36% in the West Midlands and 39% in Wales, while the national average was 44%.
Dawn Prescott, head of healthcare proposition at The Exeter, said: “Extended absences and cancelled plans show how ill health affects not just financial security, but people’s mental wellbeing too.
“These results highlight the growing challenge of meeting public expectations around timely healthcare access, particularly among younger adults who are increasingly impacted by disruptions to work and daily life.
“We recognise the healthcare pressures facing UK workers and believe we have a role to play in supporting recovery, and in offering protection and healthcare solutions that help individuals manage both financial and emotional pressures when ill health strikes.”
