Nearly half (47%) of HR directors and senior decision makers say that mental health conditions, such as stress, depression, and anxiety, are one of the main reasons why employees take long-term sick leave, according to research from MetLife UK.
This is followed by minor illnesses (34%), such as coughs, flu, and sickness, and infectious disease (26%).
Other conditions thought to be the main reason for long-term sick leave include progressive illness (e.g. cancer) at 25%, impact from chronic conditions at 23%, musculoskeletal problems (20%), respiratory conditions (16%) and mobility problems (15%).
The research matches the latest government data which shows that there are 964,000 workers suffering from work-related stress, depression or anxiety (new or long-standing) in 2024/25, up 24% year-on-year. 22.1 million working days have been lost due to work-related stress, depression or anxiety in 2024/25, up from 16.4 million reported in 2023/24.
The figures from the Government’s Health & Safety Executive department also reveal the total cost of workplace injuries and ill health was £22.9 billion in 2023/24 (the latest data available) with around 40.1 million working days lost in 2024/25.
Of the total cost, £16.4 billion came from cases of work-related ill health, excluding long latency illness such as cancer, with 730,000 workers suffering from a new case of work-related ill health in 2024/25. 35.7 million working days (of the total 40.1 million) were lost due to work-related ill health in 2024/25.
Charlotte O’Brien, head of employee benefits at MetLife UK, commented: “Stress is a significant issue for both employees and employers. Whether linked to declining mental or physical health, financial worries, or poor work-life balance, moments of stress or anxiety can flare up at any point in the year. If not well supported, it could lead to extended periods of absence in the workplace and subsequently a cost to business, including financial, loss in productivity, or efficiency. Addressing this issue is critical.
"Employers need to ensure they are well equipped with the right policies and benefits to support their employees - and are able to take action quickly. Having prevention and early intervention tools available, such as Employee Assistance Programmes (EAP), wellbeing hubs, or access to a GP 24/7, can help create a workplace where employees feel well supported and valued. These services provide real tangible support, and the more they are communicated to employees year-round the more invaluable they become.”
Brett Hill, head of health and protection at independent consultancy Broadstone, added: “These figures demonstrate the immense burden that ill-health, in particular, is having on the UK economy, employers and individuals.
“Hundreds of thousands of people every year are suffering new cases of ill-health that are costing the economy and billions of pounds a year as well as inflicting immense personal pain.
“It is a reminder of the importance of employers implementing proactive healthcare strategies, such as occupational health programmes, that can protect the health of their workforce to avoid costly absenteeism through illness or injury.
“With NHS waiting lists still at record levels and unlikely to materially improve in the short-term, businesses must increasingly shoulder the burden of maintaining the health of their staff, with a clear focus on prevention and early intervention.”
