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Sickness absence is increasing sharply across UK workplaces, with two-thirds of employees (66 per cent) taking sick leave in the past year, according to PAM Group’s Health at Work Report 2025. The figure has risen from 57 per cent four years ago, while the average duration of absence has tripled. One in five employees took more than two weeks off sick.
The report, based on a survey of more than 1,000 employees, reveals that rising stress (88 per cent), anxiety (73 per cent) and financial worries (73 per cent) are driving the trend. One in four employees say work actively undermines their health, while seven in ten report being affected by work-related stress, fatigue or burnout.
In response, the report calls for a more proactive approach to wellbeing. It found that employees who receive early support are more than twice as likely to take no sick leave and eight times more likely to be highly productive. They are also 20 times less likely to want to leave their employer.
However, many employees are still struggling to access meaningful help. More than half (57 per cent) said they would like access to mental health counselling, but only 22 per cent have this available and just 11 per cent have used it in the past year. Instead, one in seven employees reported increasing their use of drugs or alcohol to cope, while younger employees are turning to unproven AI wellbeing tools that lack clinical impact.
David Umpleby, managing director at PAM Wellness, said:
“People are continuing to struggle, with significantly more stress, anxiety and financial worries than when we last ran the report. It’s deeply concerning that so few employees have access to counselling or talking therapies. Younger employees, in particular, are being put at risk by turning to untested digital tools or unhealthy coping mechanisms.”
Nicola Jagielski, clinical director at PAM Wellness, highlighted clear generational and gender divides:
“Employees aged over 55 are more likely to use talking therapies, EAPs and private GPs than younger colleagues, and they report lower stress and anxiety levels as a result. Women have been more impacted by stress, anxiety, fatigue and financial worries, while men report higher levels of loneliness, bereavement and suicidal feelings.”
The findings underline the widening wellbeing gap between employees who can access early, evidence-based support and those who cannot. PAM Group warns that without a stronger wellbeing infrastructure – including access to counselling, trained managers and inclusive wellbeing policies – sickness absence and productivity loss will continue to rise.
The Health at Work Report 2025 also examines how employers can respond, with recommendations including:
Understanding the causes of absence across different demographics
Taking a proactive approach to mental health and early intervention
Creating a culture of open conversation and supportive management
Evaluating digital wellbeing tools to ensure they deliver real value
A free webinar discussing the key findings will take place on 28 October 2025, hosted by PAM Group with Karl Bennet, chair of the Employee Assistance Professionals Association (EAPA).
