Mental Health at Work: Understanding Stress, Burnout and Absence

Workplace stress is not a one-off. It is a slow burn. In 2023 and 2024, around 776,000 UK workers reported stress, depression or anxiety as work-related ill health. This accounted for nearly half of all such cases. Each absence lasted on average 21 days, which is far longer than for physical illnesses. 

Even more concerning, 20 percent of employees had to take time off due to stress-related reasons. Around 35 percent experienced high or extreme pressure on a regular basis. For younger workers aged 18 to 24, one in three took stress leave last year. This was often due to unpaid overtime, pressure to perform or cost-of-living concerns. 

It is not just days lost either. Around 79 percent of UK workers report experiencing regular workplace stress. Stress now contributes to a staggering £5.2 Billion in annual business costs through absence alone. When you factor in reduced productivity and disengagement, poor mental wellbeing costs UK employers up to £45 billion each year. 

But the good news is, for every one pound invested in mental health support, businesses can expect an average return of five pounds. 

So what can businesses do? Start by tracking not just that people are off, but why they are off. Are workloads too high? Is communication unclear? Use tools like Planet Once, return-to-work interviews and Manager Check-ins to turn absence data into practical action. Supporting employees with stress leave policies, manager training and clear wellbeing support builds trust and prevents further burnout. 

Culture improves when you act on what you hear 

When employees see that their stress is being understood and addressed, trust grows. People who feel heard, supported and valued are more engaged, more resilient and more likely to stay for the long term. 

At Planet Once, we created Skill Sat HR Tech to help businesses track stress leave patterns, analyse root causes and act early. Combine absence insights with wellbeing strategies and you are not just managing sick days. You are helping to prevent them and building a healthier, more connected workplace. 

Written by Sam Wowk - Director of Wellbeing at Planet Once