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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 workers use annual leave to cope with financial stress – moneyappi
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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. 

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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.

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Among 45 to 54-year-olds, 24% worked through illness and 24% avoided social events.

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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.” 

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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.”