Photo by Tima Miroshnichenko: https://www.pexels.com/photo/women-talking-with-each-other-while-having-a-coffee-5685899/
More than half of UK employees feel overworked and unable to maintain a healthy work-life balance, according to new data from PR and marketing specialist, Jukebox Marketing. The findings point to growing risks for both employee wellbeing and business performance, with experts warning that failure to support staff in managing their working day could increase stress-related absence and long-term health problems.
The survey of 2,000 people found that 53 per cent of workers feel overworked, while more than half (52 per cent) regularly check emails or take work calls outside contracted hours. The results paint a picture of a workforce struggling to switch off, even as work-related stress and poor sleep take a toll on productivity and health.
A fifth of respondents said they had taken time off work due to high stress levels in the past year, while 38 per cent admitted to being less productive at work because of tiredness. Nearly half (44 per cent) also said they eat lunch at their desks because they do not have time for a full break and 41 per cent said they are unable to keep fit due to the pressures of work and daily life.
Stephen Jury, Managing Director at Jukebox, said the data highlights how blurred boundaries between home and work are affecting both wellbeing and business resilience.
“Brits appear to be feeling the pressures of work, and with further issues such as the ongoing cost-of-living crisis, managing stress levels is now more difficult than ever before. An unhealthy work-life balance not only leads to physical and mental health risks for employees, but also growth risks for businesses.”
The report also points to the physical health risks associated with long hours and sedentary habits. Almost half (47 per cent) of respondents said their job makes it difficult to achieve 10,000 steps a day, while many rely on caffeine to get through the working day. But Jukebox warns that excessive reliance on tea or coffee can backfire, with energy crashes later in the day leading to lower focus and higher stress.
Financial pressures are compounding the strain. Sixty per cent of employees now make lunch at home more often to cut costs, underlining how the cost-of-living crisis continues to shape daily work habits. Yet despite these challenges, two-thirds (67 per cent) said they remain happy in their current role – suggesting that many value their work but need better structures to maintain balance.
Workplace wellbeing specialists say the findings reflect a wider national pattern. Poor work-life balance has been consistently linked to higher rates of burnout, mental ill health and physical conditions, such as heart disease and type 2 diabetes. The Health and Safety Executive’s most recent data showed that stress, depression and anxiety account for more than half of all work-related ill health cases in the UK.
Jukebox advises employers to take proactive steps to protect employee wellbeing, including encouraging regular breaks, supporting exercise, and ensuring workloads are realistic. Jury added:
“If you want your business to be as strong as possible, ensure that your employees have enough time to complete basic exercise and spend time with their families. A healthier employee means a healthier business.”
As organisations continue to navigate economic uncertainty and rising demands, the report underlines that maintaining balance is not simply a personal goal – it is a strategic imperative for sustainable performance.
