One in five (20%) respondents have taken time off work due to a stress-related illness in the past 12 months, according to research by MetLife Employee Benefits.
Its research, which surveyed 2,134 respondents aged 18 and above, found that one in 10 respondents have taken more than six days off work due to stress.
The research found stress was a bigger cause of absence in the past year than sports-related injuries (10%) and hangovers or other alcohol-related issues (8%).
The research also found that nearly two-thirds (63%) of respondents would welcome help and advice from their employer on how to improve their health and wellbeing.
Currently, 61% of respondents receive some form of health and wellness support at work, with health advice being the most common provision, offered to 37%.
Only 13% are provided with group income protection policies.
Tom Gaynor (pictured), employee benefits director at MetLife, said: “Stress is a major issue with one in five employees having to take time off work in the past year.
“It is clear that staff would welcome more support and help from employers on health and wellness in the workplace, and it is also clear that employers have recognised the need to provide support.
“There is a genuine benefit for both employers and employees in promoting good health at work.
“Helping staff to be healthier cuts the cost of absence for employers and enables employees to avoid illness where possible and to recover faster.”
