Wellbeing | Poor mental health 'top reason' for time off work in 2021

2021 has been an overwhelming year for workers, with the coronavirus pandemic putting a huge strain on both physical and mental wellbeing.

However, whilst multiple waves of the virus have garnered staggering highs in infection rates, the number one cause of illness-related work leave this year was mental health.

This is according to the latest research compiled by GoodShape, which found that in 2021, poor mental health accounted for 19% of all lost working time across the country, more so than absences caused by confirmed cases of Covid-19, which represented a still startling 16% overall.

This means that, over the course of the last 12 months, absences averaged at least three times longer for mental health-related concerns, than for Covid-related reasons. Alarmingly, 54% of workers who take two or more mental health-related absences will go on to leave their jobs.