Work-related stress or burnout, also known as burnout, costs the UK economy £28 billion, almost €32 billion, each year and causes 23.3 million days of illness. sick leave, according to a study published on Wednesday.
The British “are more likely to have mental health problems than in any other” of the countries concerned by this analysis, indicate the authors of this study carried out by the French insurer Axa and the British economic think tank CEBR .
Their conclusions are based in particular on a survey by the Ipsos institute of 30,000 people aged 18 to 74 in 16 countries and territories around the world. The latter shows that 21% of British adults are in emotional distress, ahead of the United States (17%), Belgium (11%), France (10%), China (10%) and Switzerland (9 %).
Inflation-related stress for employees
“Almost half of Britons are currently not in a state of mental wellbeing and are at risk of burnout, which is having a significant impact on the UK economy and businesses,” a statement said.
The cost of living crisis in the UK appears to be having a particularly negative impact, the study’s authors note, in a country where inflation rebounded in February to 10.4% year on year, reducing the power of purchase from the British. CEBR data shows that financial stress and employee concerns alone cost UK businesses up to £6.2bn in sick leave and lost productivity.
The study nevertheless notes signs of improvement across the Channel, “with a drop in the stigma associated with mental health problems” and a marked increase in the number of people who, conversely, are in “very good mental health »: they represent 23% of those surveyed.