Unhappy employees take nine more sick days a year at cost of £11bn

Impact on wider health and happiness

Laura Miller
clock • 1 min read

Unhappy employees take almost two working weeks’ more sickness absence on average per year compared to their happy counterparts, costing the UK economy £11bn annually in lost productivity, according to new research.

A report from WPI Economics, commissioned by employee benefits provider Unum UK, spoke to more than 4,000 employees across the UK. It found almost half (48%) said they do not have good mental wellbeing and this is having an impact on their productivity and wider health and happiness. Elsewhere, the report suggests just 13% of unhappy staff think they are very productive at work, which is three times lower than their happy peers. The average unhappy, unproductive worker loses nine hours of productive time per week, more than a typical day's work. By contrast, 80% of workers said ...

To continue reading this article...

Join COVER for free

  • Unlimited access to real-time news, key trend analysis and industry insights.
  • Stay on top of the latest developments around health and wellbeing, diversity and inclusion and the cost of living crisis.
  • Receive breaking news stories straight to your inbox in the daily newsletter.
  • Members only access to monthly programme 'The COVER Review'
  • Be the first to hear about our CPD accredited events and awards programmes.

Join now

 

Already a Cover member?

Login

More on Employee Benefits

Half of adults feel financially unprepared for key life events

Half of adults feel financially unprepared for key life events

Most pronounced among those aged 45-54

Sophia Panayi
clock 28 September 2026 • 2 min read
Certua Life partners with employee benefits platform

Certua Life partners with employee benefits platform

Heka partnership

Cameron Roberts
clock 07 September 2026 • 2 min read
New multinational benefits leader for Howden Employee Benefits

New multinational benefits leader for Howden Employee Benefits

Hannah Proctor takes the role

Cameron Roberts
clock 03 September 2026 • 1 min read