Marvin OnumonuOne in four UK workers said their job had a negative effect on their mental or physical health, according to the Chartered Institute of Personnel and Development (CIPD) Good Work Index 2025.
The survey estimated that 8.5 million workers reported harm to their mental health, with 24% saying their work affected them physically.
The research found negative impacts from work on health have stayed high for eight years.
Key issues included heavy workloads, too much pressure, poor relationships at work and weak line management.
Employees who said work harmed their mental health were less satisfied, with 37% saying they were happy in their jobs compared to 93% of those who felt work had a positive effect.
Around 34% said they planned to leave their job in the next year, compared to 14% of those with good wellbeing.
Fewer said they would go the extra mile at work.
The survey also reported that 46% of working adults had a physical health condition in the past year.
Musculoskeletal problems, anxiety, sleep issues and depression were most common.
The CIPD called for employers to give better training and support to line managers to help them manage staff, workloads and stress.
Peter Cheese, chief executive at the CIPD, said: “While certain aspects of job quality have improved for some workers, for a significant minority work isn’t getting better and is negatively impacting their health.
“This points to a real need to look beyond the symptoms of unhealthy work to its root causes, including job design and workload management, lack of awareness or capabilities in good people management, and the supportive cultures needed to help people give their best.
“There’s a clear business and moral case for prioritising wellbeing at work. It’s not just good for individuals, but helps boost employee performance and retention, as well as reducing health-related inactivity in the labour market.”
Cheese added: “Tackling work-related stress, one of the main causes of sickness absence and associated with rising levels of economic inactivity, must be a priority for both employers and policy makers.
“The government’s efforts to encourage more focus on the wellbeing of the workforce will require more organisations to equip managers with the time and skills they need to manage people properly, and to keep people well and in work.”
