Two thirds of people said they felt self-imposed pressure to continue working while ill in a survey of UK employees on the topic of workplace wellbeing.
Employees from 280 UK workplaces shared their thoughts on health and wellbeing, with 75% saying they work while physically or mentally unable to perform their duties.
Less than half of employees said they felt comfortable discussing health problems with colleagues. One quarter worried about the perception of taking a sick day, and just one in five felt they could talk to HR representatives about health.
In addition, 22% felt direct pressure from senior staff to work through illness, and a further 14% felt a similar pressure from other colleagues.
When deciding whether to take a sick day, one quarter (26%) of employees would worry about whether they had taken one recently. Similarly, one quarter were concerned about financial implications. One in 10 would also worry about their level of seniority or how long they had been in the role.
Another factor considered by employees was their workload. Around 30% were concerned about busy periods and deadlines when considering taking time off. More than one quarter (27%) factor in important meetings and 32% consider whether someone else is available to take over their responsibilities.
Gender disparities
The survey also found that women were disproportionately affected by the issues covered in the questions. Women were 62% more likely than men to feel completely unsupported with health-related issues. When compared to male employees, women were:
- Less likely to feel they could take sick leave (20%)
- More likely to worry about their team’s perception of absences (27%)
- More likely to worry about taking a mental health day (24%)
- More likely to continue working while unwell (20%)
- Half as likely to receive private medical insurance.
In addition, the survey found that workplaces often did not offer support with issues that largely impact women. For example, 18% of workplaces offered no menopause support and just 10% of women felt comfortable discussing menstrual health.
Workplace taboos
A more general problem with workplace taboos was also revealed by the findings. Almost half of the employees (46%) felt unable to discuss any of the following issues:
- Mental health
- Weight loss
- Menopause
- Menstrual health
- Sexual health.
Infertility appeared to be the most taboo topic, as nine in 10 (91%) employees felt uncomfortable discussing it with colleagues.
Mental health was a significant issue raised in the survey results, with 60% of people saying that work has an impact on their mental health. However less than four in 10 (38%) of those surveyed felt comfortable discussing their own mental health, while three quarters (73%) felt uncomfortable discussing that of their colleagues. More than one quarter worried about how colleagues would perceive mental health-related absences.
Support for employees
Half of the employees felt their employer does not support their mental health, with only 25% of the workplaces using trained mental health first aiders. Four in 10 (41%) of the workplaces were providing mental health support through counselling services. Just 13% offered dedicated mental health days.
Considering workplace wellbeing support more generally, 45% of the employers offered employee assistance programmes. These provide confidential support for both work and personal issues.
A similar 45% of workplaces offered flexible working arrangements. The survey said this allows employees to attend medical appointments without the added stress of missing work or using annual leave.
Four in 10 (39%) also supported physical health by offering free flu vaccinations.
The data was collected as part of the Workplace Health and Wellbeing Survey 2025 by UK Meds.
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