Seventy per cent of respondents to a survey carried out by Opinium Research on behalf of Cirencester Friendly say work has a positive impact, with just over one third agreeing strongly. Only 12% of the 2,420 working UK adults believe work does not have a positive effect on their health.
The findings are consistent across generations and genders. Sixty-nine per cent of Gen Z respondents say work benefits their health and wellbeing, only slightly below Baby Boomers at 75%. Women were marginally more positive than men, with 72% agreeing compared with 69%.
Millennials, aged 28 to 43, are the most positive group overall. Only 7% say work does not benefit their health and wellbeing. This generation also reports the highest levels of satisfaction from being in work, with 68% saying work makes them feel satisfied and only 12%t feeling dissatisfied.
Cirencester says the findings underline the relationship between work, wellbeing and financial resilience and highlight the need for income protection to play a critical role, offering financial security during illness and supporting individuals in their return to work.
Director of distribution, Alan Waddington, said: “Our research shows how important it is for peoples’ wellbeing to be able to work. With 800,000 more people out of work due to health problems now than in 20191, it has never been more important to help people to return to work after ill health to reverse a growing sickness crisis in the UK. Protection insurances, such as income protection, have a vital role to play in this. Not only do they provide financial support to give people the time and resources to concentrate on recovery, but through the additional services they offer, they can provide much needed mental health support to give people the confidence to resume their working lives.”
