The number of sickness days people have taken due to stress has increased 113% in the past year.
This is the startling statistic from absence management platform e-days, which also reveals the average number of people taking stress-related leave has increased by 74% when comparing Q1 2021 to Q1 2019.
While the number of people taking stress-related leave in 2020 and 2021 has remained unchanged, 58% of the UK workforce is feeling exhausted rather than excited as the summer approaches. The figures suggest that a core of stressed people are taking more time off.
When asked to choose between an additional day off every year or £200 cash from their employer, almost two-thirds (62%) of the UK workforce opted for ‘me time’ over money.
Commenting on the findings, e-days founder Steve Arnold, says as the UK hopefully reaches the light at the end of the tunnel, it’s vital that employers recognise the importance of a well-supported workforce.
“No business can afford to ignore the doubling of stress-related leave in such a short period of time – this affects us all. However, financial incentive is not the be-all-and-end-all of workplace benefits: the key to a motivated workforce is an employer that understands just how much absence matters.”
