Workers stressed about constant emails, redundancy threats and cash worries resulted in 14 per cent more sick notes in the past year
THE NUMBER of workers signed off sick or put on restricted duties due to stress and anxiety has jumped by 14 per cent in a year, figures show.
Experts say a constant barrage of emails, the threat of redundancy and a gap between rising prices and incomes are likely to blame.
The lost days off work pile additional pressure on remaining staff and are estimated to cost British industry millions of pounds a year.
Doctors wrote 573,000 “fit notes” for stress and anxiety in 2016/17 – up from 503,000 in 2015/16, according to NHS Digital.
The notes replaced “sick notes” in 2010 and allow medics to indicate if a patient is completely unable to work or could graft in some circumstances.
They may suggest changes to their job role or workplace to make their day more bearable.
This could include working part-time hours, taking short breaks throughout the day or not dealing with difficult customers.
Carole Spiers, from the International Stress Management Association, said: “The pressures of modern work and family life are leaving people exhausted and burned out.
“Companies have made people redundant, adding to the financial worries of those who have lost their jobs, and leaving those who are left behind with more to do.
“Many leave work late and then have to deal with work calls and emails throughout the evening – even sending and reading messages as they fall asleep.
“Add rising prices and slow wage growth, and people are struggling to keep their heads above the water.
It’s no wonder people are stressed.
“People need to be able to switch off and refresh their batteries. A happy employee is more focused and productive, which is also a benefit for employers.”
NHS Digital analysed data on 12million fit notes written by GPs in England between December 2014 and March 2017.
Some 5.8million had a known diagnosis, of which mental health and behavioural conditions were the most common – accounting for 1.8million, or a third.
Musculoskeletal conditions, such as back ache, were the second most common, with 1.1million notes.
Women continually accounted for more than half of the total number of fit notes issued, with a high of 57.8 per cent in January 2017.
Medics in Knowsley, Merseyside, issued 4,123 fit notes per 100,000 working age patients in March this year – the highest number in the country.
Those in Richmond, South West London, issued the fewest at 977 per 100,000 people. The national average was 2,334.
A spokesperson from the Confederation of British Industry, said: “The health and well-being of employees is a key priority for employers.
“Businesses have a duty of care to their employees that considers mental and physical health as well as safety.
“Most firms will usually have policies in place – especially if they are large – to help support their staff.”