Around 1.8 million workers suffer from work-related ill health

677,000 new cases reported every year

Jaskeet Briah
clock • 2 min read

Around 1.8 million workers suffered from work-related ill health in 2022/23, with 875,000 of cases due to stress, depression or anxiety, according to data from the Health & Safety Executive (HSE).

An estimated 35.2 million working days were lost in 2022/23 due to self-reported, work-related ill health or injury, and the current rate of self-reported, work-related stress, depression or anxiety is higher than the pre-pandemic level. Sarah Albon, HSE chief executive, said: "Preventing or tackling work-related stress can provide significant benefits to employees, improving their experience of work and their overall health; and also to employers including increased productivity, decreased absenteeism and reduced staff turnover." According to an analysis of HSE data by independent co...

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 Group Protection

Half of employees want more flexible healthcare options: Simplyhealth

Half of employees want more flexible healthcare options: Simplyhealth

15% of employees found it difficult to access healthcare

Jaskeet Briah
clock 14 July 2026 • 1 min read
Government to create Workplace Health Intelligence Unit as part of Keep Britain Working Review

Government to create Workplace Health Intelligence Unit as part of Keep Britain Working Review

Making workplace health performance visible

Jaskeet Briah
clock 06 July 2026 • 2 min read
Unum UK adds personalised cancer navigation service

Unum UK adds personalised cancer navigation service

Partnership with Reframe Cancer

Jaskeet Briah
clock 03 July 2026 • 2 min read