One in 10 workers use annual leave to cope with financial stress – moneyappi
The study of 2,000 adults found that 10% took annual leave for money worries or admin, rather than rest or holiday.
One in 10 UK workers have used annual leave to manage financial stress or burnout, according to research from moneyappi.
The study of 2,000 adults found that 10% took annual leave for money worries or admin, rather than rest or holiday.
Another 12% delayed booking time off because they could not afford to do anything with it.
22% skipped lunch, coffee or food at work to save money.
21% worked while unwell because they could not afford time off, and 20% avoided work social events due to cost.
16% concealed money worries from managers or employees, and 14% looked for a new job to get more financial breathing room.
9% avoided commuting because of travel costs, and 7% asked for a hardship loan or salary advance.
32% of 18 to 24-year-olds skipped food or drink at work, while 16% avoided commuting.
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Among 25 to 34-year-olds, 28% skipped food or drinks at work, 23% worked while unwell, 22% looked for another job, 20% delayed booking annual leave and 13% requested a hardship loan or salary advance.
Among 35 to 44-year-olds, 23% hid money worries from managers or employees.
Among 45 to 54-year-olds, 24% worked through illness and 24% avoided social events.
Only 7% requested formal help, while more have skipped meals, worked through illness or used annual leave to cope with money problems.
Ray Law, founder of moneyappi, said: “Annual leave is supposed to be when people recover, and instead we’re seeing people use it to deal with the very thing they need to recover from.
“That’s a strong sign of how much financial stress builds up before anyone notices or asks for help.
“By the time someone requests a hardship loan, they’ve often already been skipping meals, working through illness, or using their holiday to firefight money problems for months.”
Law added: “Prevention is always better than cure. Giving people the tools and confidence to understand their financial health early on doesn’t just ease money worries – it protects the time and energy they need for everything else in life.”