One out of four young workers rates their mental health as “poor”

Nearly a quarter of workers aged between 16-24 rate the mental health they have as poor. They are also most likely to say that their jobs negatively impact their mental health.

According to a new survey by the Work Foundation, Lancaster University, around 6% UK workers are considering leaving their current job within the next 12 months due to their health. They may choose to find a better job to accommodate their condition or quit their job altogether.

Researchers say that this could mean that over a million workers are considering quitting their job due to health reasons.

In the UK, 20% of workers report poor health. The workers who expect to be unemployed in three years are more than twice as likely.

This is especially concerning for young workers who are 1.5x more likely than other age groups to report poor mental wellbeing.

In the 16-24 age range, two out of five workers (43%) expect that their health will deteriorate in the next 12 months. This is the highest percentage among all age groups. Four thirds of young workers worry that their health is declining and could force them to quit work in the near future.

Ben Harrison, director at Lancaster University’s Work Foundation, stated: “This analysis indicates that, without additional support, a new generation could be scarred by economic inactivity and unemployment in their early working years. This could have serious implications for local economies, employers and communities across the UK.

“Similar risk can be observed in those with low incomes or those who are already in poor health. Many more workers may be forced to leave their jobs early because of ill health without a national reset in health and work. This would include expanding access to occupational health services, flexible working and tailored employment assistance. This will directly challenge the government’s aim to boost the economy and living standards.

A nationally representative survey of 3,800 UK workers found that nearly half of those earning less than PS25,000 are entitled to paid time off from work for medical appointments.

Work and Health Summit

Today, at the Work and Health Summit, in London, the report will be launched by Sir Charlie Mayfield who is the leader of the Keep Britain Working review, former Health Secretary Alan Milburn, and Chloe Smith the former Work and Pensions secretary.

The survey shows that workers with low incomes and people in poorer health are at a greater risk. Workers with low incomes have a significantly lower chance of having access to the job conditions that are known to promote good health compared to high-income or middle-income workers. The survey found that:

• Only 53% low-income employees were paid for time off to attend appointments with doctors, compared to 79% high-income employees
• Only 46% low-income workers say they are confident in taking sick leave when necessary, compared with 74% high-income workers
• Only 16% of high income workers claim that their employer doesn’t provide occupational health care, as compared to the 42% of workers with low incomes.

Research also shows that people who are already in poor physical health may have a harder time accessing the types of policies and conditions at work that would help them to remain employed.

• Only 27% of people in poor health are flexible about their workplace, as opposed to 53% of healthy individuals
• Only 44% reported having autonomy in their job, while 69% in good health did.
• Only 39% in poor health say they are confident about their job security, compared to 67% in good health
• Only 37% of employees in good health feel comfortable talking to their employers about mental health.

Lancaster University Professor Stavroula leka stated: “This evidence suggests that the UK may face more talent quitting the workforce in the future due to illness.”

The UK faces a complex web when it comes health and employment. If health is not prioritised at work, the wave of prematurely leaving the workforce will continue.

It is important to act quickly to improve the prospects and experiences of young workers and low-income earners before permanent damage occurs.

Redesigning Work

Work Foundation states that work must be “redesigned” so more people with ill health are able to remain at work. They want the government to give priority to:

• Increased workplace support for those with poor health via holistic OH, enhanced sick pay policies and other leave policies and increased access to flexibility in the workplace
• Increasing the quality of work for low-income workers through improved access to employment rights, protections, and workplace health assistance
• Providing substantial additional support for young people at the start of their careers to help them find sustainable employment. It should also include improved access to NHS mental healthcare services, tailored support for unemployed people, and the guarantee that young people can take on good-quality employment.

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