Jane Sheppard here, bringing you the latest news from Suwannee County. A recent study has shed light on a concerning trend among the British workforce, particularly among Gen Z and young millennials. According to the research, these young employees are losing an equivalent of one workday every week due to struggles with mental health.
The research was carried out by Vitality, a renowned health and life insurer with a worldwide membership exceeding 30 million. The findings are eye-opening: the average British worker reports feeling unable to work for almost 50 days in a year, translating to a loss of £138 billion ($176 billion) for the British economy.
The situation appears to be more severe for those under the age of 30. This demographic is found to lose up to 60 productive days annually. In contrast, Gen X and baby boomers report an average of 36.3 mentally absent workdays, marking a significant 64% difference.
Identifying the Root Cause
The research by Vitality points to a glaring issue: younger, less affluent workers are grappling with mental health challenges without receiving sufficient support from their employers. These struggles are evident in the productivity dip associated with physical health issues (54%) compared to the staggering 150% loss in productive days caused by mental health issues, especially among the youth.
Depression rates are found to be twice as high among young workers, who also report higher levels of burnout and fatigue compared to their older peers. Further adding to the strain, those earning less than £30,000 ($38,000) annually feel 86% more overlooked by their employer compared to their higher-income colleagues.
Furthermore, statistics from 2023 show that workers took an average of just six sick days, with the majority of lost hours due to ineffective work. In essence, Gen Z employees clock in for 54 days in a year but achieve little due to mental health challenges and a reluctance to seek help.
Underutilization of Company Wellness Tools
Despite the availability of mental health support in many companies, the uptake is worryingly low. The survey indicates that only 25% of the 4000 individuals surveyed use the wellness tools provided by their employers. However, those who do use these resources find them beneficial, suggesting a disconnect between employers and employees in communicating about available support.
Neville Koopowitz, CEO of Vitality, emphasized the need for firms to be more vocal about their support resources. He believes that managing health at work effectively could benefit both businesses and the broader economy.
The Burnout Epidemic
Vitality’s findings coincide with warnings from Mental Health UK about Britain on the brink of becoming a “burnt-out nation.” According to their 2024 Burnout Report, nine in 10 adults have experienced high or extreme levels of stress in the past year, with one in five taking time off as a result.
The report also echoes Vitality’s findings that younger employees are most likely to be suffering and taking time off. Brian Dow, the chief executive of Mental Health UK, highlighted the complexity of the causes behind work absence due to poor mental health and called for a national summit to address the issue.
As we continue to navigate the complexities of mental health in the workplace, it’s crucial for employers and employees alike to foster open conversations and seek effective solutions. If you’re a young worker struggling with productivity due to mental health issues, we’d love to hear your story. Feel free to reach out and share your experiences.
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