Staff report they are stressed, not getting enough support from their employers, and it’s impacting their professional and personal lives
Leeds, UK, 29 May 2024 – On the heels of the UK’s Mental Health Awareness Week, Personify Health, the first and only platform company to bring health, wellbeing, and navigation solutions together, unveiled new research about the impact workplace stress has on employees – and the results are alarming. Analysing the feedback of 2,008 UK-based employees, the 2024 Workplace UK Stress Report reveals a concerning mental health reality faced by many, and that better workplace support is needed.
Personify’s 2024 Workplace UK Stress Report showed that employees are silently suffering. An estimated 5.1 million UK workers identify job pressure as the primary stress factor in their lives. In fact, approximately 3.9 million are stressed at work every day – with seven in 10 employees (69%) saying they’re stressed at least once a week. The study also reveals that more than half of employees surveyed (51%) feel that their boss prioritises work output over their mental wellbeing. Nearly a third (32%) admit they are too stressed to perform at their best, making it clear that tackling employee wellbeing issues is key to improving workplace productivity and focus.
“Mental Health Awareness Week serves as a poignant reminder of our collective responsibility to prioritise mental health in the workplace,” said Jill King, SVP of International at Personify Health. “These survey findings demonstrate a significant need and opportunity for transformation. Now is the time for employers to create a strategy and holistic programme that better supports their staff, creating a workforce – and culture – that is more empowered, resilient, and productive.”
These findings highlight the urgency for employers to address mental health concerns among their staff:
- Provide greater support: There is a concerning gap between the support employees require and what is currently provided. More than two in five employees (41%) feel their workplace does not offer adequate mental health support.
- Reduce the stigma: Employees also believe that disclosing stress or mental health challenges to their superiors would hinder their career advancement prospects, with 45% reporting they’re less likely to get a promotion if their employer knew they had a mental health issue.
- Stand out to job hunters: Nearly half of respondents (47%) would take a company’s mental health support programme into consideration when looking for a new job – making this benefit a competitive differentiator in the job market.
Repercussions of workplace stress extend beyond the office as well. The 2024 Workplace UK Stress Report found:
- An estimated 2.4 million people (8% of those surveyed) have experienced suicidal thoughts.
- Over 1 in 10 (12%) have resorted to alcohol and drugs as coping mechanisms.
- More than 1 in 5 (22%) say their home life and relationships are negatively affected.
- Almost a quarter (23%) say they have developed anxiety or their anxiety has worsened.
- Nearly three in 10 employees (29%) find it hard to switch off or relax.
Personalised, connected, and powerfully simple, Personify Health helps businesses empower their people to meaningfully engage with their health, wellbeing, and company culture. By addressing individual member needs holistically, Personify helps members make lasting changes that reduces stress, increases connectivity, and supports healthy living. From daily tips and reminders to personalised content, employees get access to a breadth of digital resources, challenges, and motivations to help them grow and thrive.
Read the full 2024 Workplace UK Stress Report for more insights into workplace stress in the UK, including which generation is least likely to speak up about their mental health, and which cities are the happiest.
Survey Methodology
The 2024 Workplace UK Stress Report was conducted in partnership with the Relations Group, gathering insights from 2,008 UK adult employees across diverse public and private industries. It was fielded 12-18 April 2024. All research processes and practices strictly adhered to the UK Market Research Society (MRS) code of conduct (2023) and complied with the Data Protection Act (DPA) of 2018 to ensure ethical and legal compliance in data collection and analysis.
About Personify Health
Virgin Pulse and HealthComp have merged to become Personify Health, the company driven to engage and empower people to live healthier lives. By bringing industry-leading health plan administration, holistic wellbeing, and navigation solutions together, all in one place, we have created the industry’s first and only personalised health platform. With decades of experience and global operations, we empower diverse and unique businesses – and diverse and unique people – to engage more deeply in health at a lower cost. Through our proprietary combination of data-driven personalisation, science-backed methodology, and concierge-level clinical expertise, our end-to-end platform makes it easier to proactively address people’s needs across their lives. With a personalised, holistic, and powerfully simple experience, we are redefining industry expectations and what it means to manage health. Learn more at www.personifyhealth.com.