Mental health issues are now the most common source of workplace illness, according to a new index from investment and income protection advisers, Friends First.
The 'Employee Protection Index' reported that around 2 in 5 workers admitted to suffering from stress and anxiety during their career, followed by a third with cancer or chronic back pain.
Mental health issues emerged as most prevalent amongst younger workers with almost half of under 35’s saying they took extended sick leave (more than one week) due to stress or anxiety.
38% of workers reported having taken extended sick leave due to an accident or illness with the resulting sick leave period being on average 14 weeks.
A quarter of employees say they would not be paid for a period of sick leave, even for one month or less.
Two thirds said they would be paid for up to one month but this drops significantly to one third for sick leave stretching beyond six months.
