Quarter of UK workplaces cite stress as cause of short-term absence 

More than a quarter of UK organisations now cite stress as one of the leading causes of short-term sickness absence, according to new research from the CIPD and Simplyhealth. 

The 2025 Health and Wellbeing at Work report found that 26 per cent of employers list stress among their top three causes of short-term absence, highlighting the growing impact of workplace pressure on attendance and productivity. 

The research, based on a survey of 1,101 HR and people professionals, shows that stress-related absence remains widespread. Almost two-thirds (64 per cent) of HR professionals said their organisation recorded at least one stress-related absence in the past year. 

Heavy workloads were identified as the most common cause of stress, cited by 41 per cent of respondents. This was followed by personal health issues (37%) and family or relationship problems (34 per cent), underlining the extent to which pressures outside work continue to affect employees’ wellbeing. 

While many employers are taking action, the report suggests progress is uneven. Sixty-four per cent of organisations said they are taking steps to identify or reduce stress at work, but only half believe those efforts are effective. 

Dr Macarena Staudenmaier, head of clinical product and operations at Simplyhealth, said stress remains a significant challenge for UK employers, despite improvements in wellbeing strategy adoption. 

“Life can bring many challenges and at times these can feel overwhelming, affecting our wellbeing both at home and at work,” she said. “Our recent research shows this is a growing issue, with 64% of organisations reporting at least one stress-related absence in the past year. 

“While progress has been made, with 57 per cent of organisations now having a wellbeing strategy in place, compared with 44 per cent five years ago, there is still more to do to reduce stress-related absence, which continues to cost the economy billions each year.” 

Staudenmaier said creating supportive and psychologically safe workplaces is a critical first step, but added that culture alone is not enough. 

“Even the best workplace culture cannot remove life’s challenges entirely. It’s important that employees feel able and encouraged to access professional support when they need it,” she said. “When open workplace cultures are combined with timely, expert help, difficult periods can feel far more manageable.” 

The report also highlights the role employers can play in prevention, including open communication about mental health, training managers to spot early signs of stress and ensuring employees understand how to access support services, such as counselling and employee assistance programmes. 

For individuals, Simplyhealth recommends regular physical activity, mindfulness techniques to help regulate stress responses, and seeking professional support when stress becomes difficult to manage. 

The findings come ahead of Blue Monday on 19 January 2026 and Time to Talk Day on 5 February 2026, as organisations across the UK are encouraged to renew focus on mental health and stress at work.