Over two-thirds of workers admit to pretending to be well at work – Lime Health

Over two-thirds of UK workers admitted to pretending to be well at work, according to new research from Lime Health. 

The research found a rise in pleasanteeism, with 69% of employees saying they sometimes, often or always pretend to be fine when they’re not. 

This was up from 51% in 2021. 

Money worries, a lack of understanding from management, and negative stigma around health were the main reasons given.

Shaun Williams, founder and CEO of Lime Health, said: “It’s deeply concerning, though not surprising, to see pleasanteeism rise from just over half of the workforce to nearly 70% in only a few years. 

“When so many people feel compelled to hide how they’re really feeling at work, it tells us the issue isn’t simply absence, it’s what’s happening while people are still present.

“This kind of unseen health strain is largely invisible to employers, yet it has a very real impact on performance, engagement and long-term workforce sustainability.”

61% of employees said their performance declined when working while unwell. 

36% of HR leaders said tackling hidden health issues was now their biggest workforce priority. 

Despite this, many organisations still lacked data or visibility into workforce health, making it difficult to identify risks or know what was working.

Hidden ill-health was leading to more absence, disengagement and staff turnover, according to the report. 

The economic cost was also significant, with Government estimates putting the annual cost of ill health and lost productivity at £85bn, and pleasanteeism accounting for £21bn of that.

Williams added: “What this research makes clear is that employers aren’t ignoring workforce health, and in fact, many are actively trying to address it. 

“The real challenge is the lack of clear, actionable insight into what’s actually working.

“Without better data and earlier visibility of risk, organisations are left playing catch up.”

He said: “That’s why we’re seeing a growing need for workforce health to be treated as an integrated system, one that connects insight, prevention and access to care in a more joined-up way, before issues escalate into absence, attrition or long-term ill health.”