Workplace stress linked to lost workdays

Work-related stress, depression, and anxiety affected an estimated 776,000 workers in the UK during 2023/24, according to the Health and Safety Executive (HSE). This accounts for 46% of all work-related ill health cases and 55% of working days lost, totalling 16.4 million days.

Each case led to an average of 21.1 days off work. HSE notes workload pressures, including tight deadlines and excessive responsibilities, as the main causes. A lack of managerial support, workplace changes, and interpersonal issues were also contributing factors.

According to HSE, workload pressures and a lack of support are some of the main drivers of stress in the workplace. To address the issue, HSE’s Working Minds campaign offers free tools and resources to help employers and workers manage stress. These include online learning modules, a 2025 campaign calendar, and stress risk assessment templates.