More than a million workers are likely to resign in the next year due to illness or poor mental health, a study suggests.
The fragility of the workforce is a ‘direct challenge’ to the Government’s ambition to grow the economy and boost living standards, the Work Foundation warned.
Researchers found the results are ‘particularly concerning’ among younger workers, where there is risk a new generation will be ‘scarred by unemployment and economic inactivity’.
The foundation’s experts, based at Lancaster University, analysed 3,796 workers’ health and employment data.
They found one in 17 (6 per cent) believe they will leave their job in the next 12 months due to their health, with these employees seeking a role that is less stressful or quitting the workforce altogether.
Overall, 20 per cent of workers say they are in poor health, with these twice as likely to expect not be employed in three years’ time.
Young workers aged 16 to 24 are 1.5 times more likely to report poor mental health than any other age group – with a rate of 23 per cent.
They are also the most likely to report that their job negatively affects their mental health (34 per cent), with 43 per cent worried that their declining health could push them out of work in the future.
File image: The fragility of the workforce is a ‘direct challenge’ to the Government’s ambition to grow the economy and boost living standards, the Work Foundation warned
File image: Overall, 20 per cent of workers say they are in poor health, with these twice as likely to expect not be employed in three years’ time
The researchers say jobs should be ‘redesigned’, with firms expanding access to flexible working, occupational health services and more generous sick pay to keep employees in their roles.
They also want stronger employment rights and protections and improved access to NHS mental health services, tailored support for those out of work and a ‘guarantee’ that all young people have the ability to take up ‘good quality work’.
The report will be launched at the Work and Health Summit in London today.
Ben Harrison, director of the Work Foundation, said: ‘This new analysis suggests that without additional support, we could see a new generation scarred by unemployment and economic inactivity in the early years of their working lives.
‘This could have major implications for communities, employers and local economies.’
He pointed out that workers on low incomes and already experiencing poor health face similar risks, adding: ‘Without a national reset on health and work that expands access to flexible working, occupational health services and tailored employment support, many more workers could leave work early due to ill health.
‘This will provide a direct challenge to the Government’s ambition to grow the economy and boost living standards.’
A Government spokesman said: ‘We are determined to create a welfare system that supports people into work and out of poverty – backed by £1billion to help sick or disabled people find good, secure jobs.’
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One MILLION workers on the verge of quitting their jobs over illness or poor mental health, study suggests