Children’s mental health Is becoming a workplace issue employers can’t ignore

Concerns over the mental health of children and young people is having a growing impact on the UK’s workforce, with new research suggesting that many working parents are bringing significant emotional and practical pressures into the workplace.

According to a new report from TELUS Health, at least one in four working parents say their child’s mental health is a direct source of workplace concern, contributing to an estimated £8 billion a year in lost productivity, absenteeism and reduced engagement for UK employers.

The findings come as the number of children experiencing mental health challenges continues to rise. NHS England data shows that one in five children and young people has a probable mental health disorder, while long waiting lists for specialist support mean many families are left navigating complex care pathways alongside their working lives.

While many organisations have introduced flexible working policies, wellbeing benefits and mental health support, the report suggests these measures alone are not addressing the root causes of stress for working parents.

More than half (54 per cent) of working parents who say they feel supported by their manager still report symptoms of anxiety, highlighting a gap between well-intentioned workplace support and the realities families are facing.

The report argues that manager empathy is important but has its limits. A supportive conversation cannot reduce NHS waiting lists, secure specialist appointments or resolve the uncertainty many parents experience while trying to access appropriate care for their children.

The hidden cost of presenteeism

Rather than increased sickness absence, the pressures are more commonly seen as presenteeism, with parents attending work but struggling to fully concentrate.

TELUS Health found that 63 per cent of working parents report going to work while unwell at least once a week. Those employees lose an estimated 32 productive days each year, with a further 24 days lost among parents whose mental health is significantly affecting their ability to work.

The report suggests that workload, financial pressures and the ongoing demands of managing a child’s healthcare often combine to create a sustained level of stress that traditional workplace wellbeing initiatives may not fully address.

The findings reinforce the need to think beyond individual wellbeing initiatives and consider how organisational design can better support working parents.

TELUS Health recommends that organisations look at workload management, team capacity, psychological safety and access to specialist family support alongside manager training and flexible working policies. The report concludes that meaningful support requires structural change rather than relying solely on individual managers to bridge the gap.

As employers continue to invest in employee wellbeing, the report highlights an important shift: supporting working parents increasingly means recognising that family wellbeing and workplace wellbeing are closely connected.