Ill health now seen as a bigger career threat than AI, AXA Health research finds 

Ill health has overtaken artificial intelligence (AI) as one of the biggest perceived threats to UK workers’ careers, according to new research from AXA Health. The findings suggest growing concerns about whether people will be able to stay healthy enough to work for as long as financial pressures require. 

The survey of 2,000 UK employees, conducted by Censuswide, shows that 33 per cent view ill health as a major threat to their jobs, ahead of worries about AI (26 per cent) and second only to the state of the economy (37 per cent). 

For workers aged 45 and over, ill health becomes the number one perceived career threat, overtaking economic concerns entirely. But the issue is not limited to those nearing retirement. A third of 16–24-year-olds surveyed believe they may need to retire early because of health concerns, highlighting the need for better long-term health support throughout working lives. 

The research uncovers notable differences in how workers across age groups use their working day to support their health. 

Only 1 per cent of workers aged 55+ use their lunch break for exercise. 18 per cent in this age group do not take a break at all, the highest of any group surveyed. 

Across all ages, 45 per cent spend lunch breaks scrolling on their phones, rising to 53 per cent among 35–44-year-olds. Just 9 per cent use this time for exercise. 

Despite these patterns, employees in every age group believe they prioritise their health at work more than others, revealing a disconnect between perception and behaviour. 

For younger workers, stress is a significant barrier. A third of 16–24-year-olds believe their workplace prevents them from leading a healthy lifestyle because they often feel stressed, indicating that both physical and mental health concerns contribute to fears about long-term career stability. 

Gap between expectations, health realities and longer working lives 

With financial pressures pushing retirement ages , workers expect to stay in employment beyond their ideal timeline. While many would like to stop working between ages 60 and 64, most anticipate working until 65 to69, with 39 per cent have increased their expected retirement age due to financial pressures. 

The survey also reflects changing views of what constitutes an “older worker”: 

27 per cent of respondents consider over-50s to fall into this category. 31 per cent said 60+. On average, respondents said the “ideal” age to be in today’s workplace is 32, around half the age people expect they will still be working. 

This combination; concern about health, rising retirement ages and perceived lack of support, creates what AXA Health describes as a “perfect storm”. 

When asked what being healthy at work means, nearly half of employees prioritised feeling motivated and engaged (43 per cent). Others identified working in a clean environment (41 per cent) and having a psychologically safe workplace (39 per cent). 

However, 19 per cent say they are too busy to use health benefits, while 17 per cent find them too complicated or inconvenient. AXA Health says employers have an opportunity to simplify access and offer benefits that reflect real needs. 

Heather Smith, CEO of AXA Health, said: 

“These findings should serve as a wake-up call for UK employers. When a third of workers see ill health as a major threat to their careers – and young people are already worried about early retirement due to health concerns – we need to take action.” 

“Ultimately, we need a shift from reactive healthcare to preventative wellbeing that’s genuinely embedded in business strategy… this isn’t just about benefits packages, it’s about creating workplaces where people can thrive throughout their careers and not just survive until retirement.” 

Lyndsey Simpson, Founder & CEO of 55/Redefined, said older workers’ behaviour may reinforce health concerns: 

“There is a paradox about age and work, in that the older the employee, the less likely they are to take a day off work sick… We are not doing enough to support the decades-long careers of today’s employees.” 

Natalie Shears, CEO of The Well Crowd, added: 

“This latest research from AXA reinforces what we are hearing from employers every day: health is no longer a ‘nice to have’ in the workplace, it is a core business risk. When employees across generations see ill health as a threat to their livelihoods, HR teams and wellbeing providers must respond with strategies that focus on prevention, accessibility and real-world barriers. 

“The opportunity now is for organisations to build health into day-to-day working life, not as an add-on benefit but as part of the culture. Providers that can meet employees where they are, with simple, relevant and age-inclusive support, will play a critical role in keeping people healthy enough to work for longer.” 

The findings form part of AXA Health’s contribution to the wider Keep Britain Working Review, which is examining ways to redesign workplace health across the UK.