A new analysis finds that Generation Z members with mental health issues miss at least one day a week from work.
The report, prepared by insurer Vitality, said the average British worker does not feel up to the task of working at full capacity for almost 50 working days each year – a lack of productivity that costs the UK economy £138 billion.
Younger employees are pushing up the average, with employees under 30 underperforming 60 days per year – nearly double the performance of employees under 50, which is 36 days.
But despite double-digit days of poor performance due to health reasons, only six of those days are officially taken as sick leave.
Some employees have turned to ‘quiet resignation’ over mental health concerns (stock image)
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The study, which was based on a survey of 4,000 employers and employees, cited burnout, stress, insomnia and even obesity as culprits behind poor workplace achievement.
The study indicates that younger employees suffer from mental health problems such as fatigue and exhaustion at a higher rate, with employees under the age of 30 twice as likely to suffer from depression as their older colleagues.
But research in the past has shown that Gen Z are more keen to do something about it: they are significantly more likely to formally take sick leave due to poor mental health, and almost a third have left a job or plan to leave a job due to its impact on their mental health.
Some younger employees have even turned to “quiet quitting,” where workers put in just enough effort to keep their jobs, but no more.
The latest developments:
Chancellor of the Exchequer Jeremy Hunt won’t be thrilled with these figures, as mental health leave costs the UK billions of dollars.
Palestinian Authority
Office food chains may be blamed for Gen Z workers’ woes, with the report showing that younger employees are not convinced their workplaces and departments are investing in their wellbeing and health.
Bad health – mentality And Physically – has seen 2.6 million Britons leave work due to long-term illnesses, more than 500,000 of whom are aged between 16 and 34 years.
This represents just under 30% of the total “economically inactive” working age population, which numbers 8.8 million in the UK.
Neville Kobowitz, Vitality’s chief executive, said his company’s findings had “worrying implications for the UK economy” and encouraged businesses to support the health of their employees.
He said: “The data highlights the complexity of the problem facing UK employers, but it also highlights the opportunity to benefit if it can be addressed.
“Businesses must recognize the importance and impact of facilitating a healthy workplace, one that recognizes the mental and physical health needs of employees.
“Action must be purposeful and informed, staff must feel their well-being is important and be educated and encouraged to use the support available.
“If health at work is managed properly, business and the wider economy stand to gain significantly.”