Generation Z and young millennial employees in Britain are losing the equivalent of a day’s work Every week A new study shows that people with mental health problems suffer from mental health problems.
Analysis by vitalityThe health and life insurer, which has more than 30 million members worldwide, found that the average UK worker feels unable to work almost 50 days a year – costing the UK economy a staggering £138 billion (176 billion dollars).
For those under 30, the number of lost productive days rises to 60, while Generation
The root cause, according to Vitality’s findings, is stark: Younger, less affluent workers are grappling with mental health challenges without adequate support from their employers.
While physical health struggles led to a 54% drop in productivity, mental health issues hit even harder, causing a staggering 150% loss in productive days, especially for young people.
Rates of depression are twice as high among younger workers, accompanied by higher levels of burnout and fatigue compared to their older counterparts.
Adding to the stress, those who earn less than £30,000 ($38,000) a year feel 86% neglected in their workplace compared to their higher-earning colleagues.
This likely explains the 2023 statistic of workers taking only six sick days on average, with the majority of hours lost due to inefficient work.
Basically, for 54 days a year, Gen Z is at work but not achieving anything due to mental blocks and reluctance to ask for help from higher ups.
Only a quarter of employees use the company’s wellness tools
Even when companies do offer mental health support to their employees, uptake is worryingly low.
Only 25% of the 4,000 people surveyed said they used sanitary ware provided by their employer.
However, 85% of those who used it found it helpful, suggesting that employers struggle to disseminate information about the help offered, or that the majority of workers are afraid to accept employer support.
Neville Kobowitz, CEO of Vitality, stressed that companies need to improve their ability to shout about their support resources.
“If health at work is managed properly, businesses and the broader economy stand to gain significantly,” Kobowitz said.
Burnout leads to a spike in mental health days at work
Vitality’s research comes as the UK’s mental health charity warns that Britain is on the verge of becoming a ‘A burning nation“.
The 2024 Burnout Report found that nine in 10 adults experienced high or extreme levels of stress and tension at some point in the past year, and one in five took time off as a result.
What’s more, the study reiterated that younger employees are statistically more likely to struggle and take time off.
Brian Dow, chief executive of Mental Health UK, said: “The UK is fast becoming a stressed-out nation, and an alarming number of people are taking time off work due to poor mental health caused by stress.
“High levels of absenteeism due to poor mental health is a major challenge, but its causes are complex.”
Ultimately, the report calls on British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak to get to the heart of the problem and help businesses confront the cost of persistent absence.
Dow even floated the idea of holding a “national summit” with government officials and experts to advise “how we can create healthier workplaces and better support people to stay in or return to work if they are experiencing stress and poor mental health.”
Are you a young worker struggling to be productive at work due to mental health issues? We would love to hear your story. Contact us: orianna.royle@fortune.com.
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