A new survey has discovered that employees between the ages of 30 and 49 are more stressed and taking increased levels of sick leave, when compared to colleagues in different age brackets. The average amount of sick leave in the last six months in this age group was higher than the others, reaching a total of 2.3 days per employee.

According to the OnePoll survey, more than one third of employees in the 30-49 age bracket considered themselves stressed either all of the time or most of the time. Forty-three per cent claimed their stress came from money worries, while 41 per cent said they were concerned about work.

The OnePoll study, conducted on behalf of Axa PPP Healthcare surveyed 2,000 employees.

Time off sick

The study found that in the 30-49 age bracket, 12 per cent of respondents had taken a full week of sick leave, or the equivalent, in the last six months alone. Compare this to the younger and older employees, just five per cent and six per cent of whom had taken as much time off work respectively.

Motivation and value

As part of the study, employees were also asked to answer questions on their career. In the 30-49 bracket 29 per cent of those who responded said their career path had plateaued, 15 per cent said they had no career path, and 27 per cent said their job didn’t enable them to follow their key priorities in life.

This survey is yet another indication that wellbeing in the workplace helps employers reduce stress levels, and the associated number of sickness absences. Workers in this age group in particular may have increased levels of stress due to difficulties both at home and in the workplace. Employees in this age group are more likely to have mortgages and young families in addition to the responsibilities demanded of them in the workplace.

When staff aren’t encouraged to undertake practices that are positive for their physical and mental health they take more time off sick. As an employer by ensuring steps towards employee wellbeing are put into place, you can reduce the level of sickness absence and improve productivity. Healthy, happy employees can directly improve the bottom line of your business.

Talk to OHBM about our stress management services.