Awareness of the mental health issues linked to overwork is on the rise, with increasing focus on job burnout, bullying, depression, and anxiety disorders caused by stressful workplaces. From the employees' perspective, medical leave issued by psychiatrists is often the easiest to obtain, as psychological issues are difficult to refute. Such leave is typically granted for several months, providing time for recovery and, potentially, a job search.

The UK Institute for Public Policy Research (IPPR) has raised concerns about the growing crisis. According to the report, "900,000 missing workers could mean an estimated £5bn in lost tax receipts in 2024, while better population health could save the NHS £18bn per year by the mid-2030s."

The IPPR notes that the report, coordinated by cross-party experts, took three years to complete. The highlight, as reported by Bloomberg, is: "Soaring levels of long-term sickness have been accompanied by rocketing disability benefit claims. The Office for Budget Responsibility earlier estimated that the combined impact of lost workers and a bigger benefit bill is costing the state around £15 billion a year."

The report identifies multiple factors behind the surge in sick leave, including long waiting times for medical care and rising rates of mental illness. Even those who remain in the workforce often take short-term leave to manage their health. The authors conclude: "The UK has become the literal sick man of Europe – with long-term health conditions rising, healthy life expectancy stagnating, economic inactivity increasing, a growing mental health crisis and regional health inequalities intensifying."

The UK government is exploring several measures to reduce workforce dropouts and sick leave. One proposal is to raise taxes on cigarettes and alcohol to discourage those who take time off and turn to these substances, pushing them to return to work to afford such habits.

Source: Gazeta Wyborcza