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Over a quarter of UK workers take stress-related sick days, study reveals

Over a quarter of UK workers take stress-related sick days, study reveals

One in four UK employees has called in sick due to stress. New research from Astutis exposes the hidden costs of workplace pressure, showing that poor stress management not only harms wellbeing but also undermines productivity, retention, and profitability across British organisations.

Astutis, one of the UK’s leading workplace training providers, has revealed the scale and consequences of Britain’s “silent stress epidemic” in its latest Workplace Silent Stress Survey. The study, based on responses from over 550 employees, paints a picture of a workforce under mounting strain — and a growing financial burden for employers.

According to the research, more than a quarter of UK workers have taken at least one day off due to stress, representing a significant cost in lost productivity. Over half of respondents (52.6%) also admitted to making mistakes at work while feeling stressed, adding further operational and financial pressure.

Astutis warns that the issue extends beyond individual health, affecting company performance and culture. “Unaddressed stress not only impacts productivity and collaboration but also contributes to absenteeism, turnover, and declining engagement,” the report states. “All consequences that reach far beyond the individual employee.”

The findings suggest a compounding cycle: as stress-related absences increase, workloads rise for remaining staff, amplifying fatigue and errors. Nearly two-thirds of respondents said they had considered leaving their job because of workplace stress — a trend that risks driving up recruitment and training costs while eroding institutional knowledge.

“Stress quietly affects performance, well-being, and, ultimately, personal lives,” said Brenig Moore, Technical Director and Health and Safety expert at Astutis. “Much like a slow leak in a tyre, it gradually erodes pressure and stability, leading to declining standards and productivity. Tackling stress isn’t just about protecting wellbeing, but also about protecting profitability, reputation and long-term sustainability.”

Astutis’s study also underscores the ripple effects on morale and collaboration, with rising stress levels linked to team conflicts and reduced cohesion. As companies face sustained economic uncertainty and tighter margins, the business case for proactive mental health management grows increasingly urgent.

The full Workplace Silent Stress Survey is available at astutis.com.

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