Marvin OnumonuNearly half of UK adults have taken at least four weeks off work due to illness, injury or mental health, according to research from The Exeter.
The report found that absences were most common among men, with 49% saying they had taken extended time off, and 18% of those in the past year.
Among women, 39% reported taking extended leave, with 9% in the last year.
Extended absences were highest among adults aged 25 to 34, at 62%.
Employees at medium and large companies were more likely to take long periods off work, with 53% at medium firms and 51% at large firms, compared to just 21% of small business owners.
Regional differences were clear, with 50% in Greater London taking extended leave, compared to 36% in the West Midlands and 39% in Wales.
Additionally, the research found that nearly three in 10 adults have had to cancel or postpone plans due to NHS delays.
Dawn Prescott, head of healthcare proposition at The Exeter, said: “Extended absences and cancelled plans show how ill health affects not just financial security, but people’s mental wellbeing too.
“These results highlight the growing challenge of meeting public expectations around timely healthcare access, particularly among younger adults who are increasingly impacted by disruptions to work and daily life.
“We recognise the healthcare pressures facing UK workers and believe we have a role to play in supporting recovery, and in offering protection and healthcare solutions that help individuals manage both financial and emotional pressures when ill health strikes.”
