In recent years, work-related anxiety has emerged as a leading health concern among employees across various industries in the UK. This growing trend has significant implications for both individual wellbeing and organisational productivity, highlighting the need for employers to prioritise mental health support in the workplace.The scale of the problemAccording to the Health and Safety Executive (HSE), the UK’s national regulator for workplace health and safety, there were an estimated 776,000 cases of work-related stress, depression or anxiety in 2023/24. This figure represents a significant portion of the 1.7 million workers who reported suffering from work-related ill health during the same period.While the current rate of self-reported work-related stress, depression, and anxiety has fallen since 2022/23, it is still higher than pre-pandemic levels. Data from the Mental Health Foundation estimates that 15% of UK workers have an existing mental health condition and mental ill health is now the most common cause of work-limiting conditions among those aged under 45.Impact on productivity and the economyThe consequences of work-related anxiety extend beyond individual wellbeing to affect the UK’s economic performance. In 2023/24, an estimated 33.7 million working days were lost due to self-reported work-related ill health or injury. The financial impact is staggering, with poor mental health estimated to cost UK employers £51 billion a year through presenteeism, sickness absence, and staff turnover.But the solution isn’t always straightforward. “Everyone’s experiences of anxiety are different, and the causes can be complicated,” says Sam Fromson, COO at YuLife. “What is clear is the amount of people who cite work as a high source of stress,” as can be seen in the Mental Health Foundation reports. "Anxiety has a significant effect on employees' ability to engage effectively in the workplace, meaning there's a real business benefit to addressing its rise." Causes of workplace stressSeveral factors contribute to the rising levels of work-related anxiety in the UK:Workplace politics: According to research by Spill, workplace politics are the most common cause of work-related stress, affecting 37% of employees.Communication issues: Spill found that a lack of interdepartmental communication is the second most common cause, impacting 34% of workers.Work intensity: The TUC reports that 55% of workers feel that work is becoming more intense and demanding.Work-life balance: Spill also found that 50% of workers have blurred work-life boundaries, taking their work home with them.Financial uncertainty: Economic instability, and the cost of living crisis are also having an impact. Changes in working patterns and increased financial uncertainty are negatively impacting employee mental health both in and outside of work.Industry-specific stress levelsWe must always be aware of industry-specific stressors. According to Spill's research, the industries with the highest prevalence of workplace stress include:Telecoms (88%)Media and Marketing (85%)Education and Real Estate (83%)Travel, Legal, and Professional Services (79%)Retail, Catering, and Leisure (78%)The charity sector is also significantly affected, with 80% of charity workers reporting experiencing workplace stress.The role of managementManagers play a crucial role in addressing workplace mental health, but many feel ill-equipped to handle these issues. A survey by Mental Health First Aid (MHFA) England revealed that:64% have considered quitting for a job that would better support their wellbeing.70% cited organisational barriers to supporting staff wellbeing, including company policy, heavy workload, and unsupportive workplace culture.A third feel out of their depth when supporting their team with mental health concerns.The need for better supportDespite the prevalence of work-related anxiety, there is a clear gap in employer support for mental health. A study by Unum UK found less than half (49%) of employees agree that their organisation has the necessary practices and services in place to effectively support their mental health.This lack of support is driving employees to consider leaving their jobs. The Unum research found that 78% of UK workers would quit due to high levels of stress and lack of mental support. This figure ranks just 1% below salary as the primary factor influencing employee turnover.The case for investment in mental healthInvesting in workplace mental health initiatives can yield significant returns. On average, there is a positive return on investment of around £5 for every £1 invested in mental health interventions in the workplace.Barry Crisp, co-founder of the Global Centre for Healthy Workplaces, believes that the UK is making progress in this area: “In the UK, we possess a very strong framework for workplace health and wellbeing, and I would assert that we are performing quite well. Naturally, individual companies can always aim for improvement in caring for their employees, but the UK has a wealth of programmes and initiatives, positioning it favourably.”Being proactive and holistic is integral to success, suggests Sam. “Many companies have EAPs in place, and other wellbeing benefits, but there is a long-standing engagement problem: not enough employees are using those benefits. It’s a bit ‘too little, too late’, with resources focused on supporting those who’ve already fallen ill with long-term sickness.” There are employee benefits solutions that focus on pre-emptive support: engaging employees in healthy behaviours proven to minimise stress, and increase health. The results of higher engagement with employee benefits, and incremental daily increases in daily behaviours such as meditation, walking, or cycling have a significant result on employee wellbeing. With YuLife, clients achieve increased engagement with benefits, and the ability to get employees moving and meditating in measurable ways. After experiencing 4% absenteeism rates, Nice Pak implemented YuLife and achieved a drastic 50% decrease in absenteeism—demonstrating the impact a holistic approach to wellbeing can have. Check out the Nice-Pak case study.Take action: moving forwardTo address the growing concern of work-related anxiety, UK employers should consider the following steps:Implement comprehensive health support programmes that are holistic and preventative in their approach.Assess and address low engagement with employee benefits. Provide training for managers to better support their teams’ mental health.Foster a culture of open communication about mental health issues.Promote work-life balance and flexible working arrangements.Regularly assess and address workplace stressors.By prioritising employee mental health and wellbeing, UK organisations can create healthier, more productive work environments. As the data clearly shows, addressing work-related anxiety is not just a moral imperative but also a sound business decision that can lead to improved employee retention, increased productivity, and a stronger bottom line.About YuLifeYuLife is working to reimagine the insurance industry by protecting lives, rewarding living and inspiring life. We’re on a mission to transform traditional insurance into a life-enhancing experience each employee will value and use daily. How does it work?Our award-winning app uses behavioural science and game mechanics to reward your people for living well while offering protection in case of crisis. And with our top-rated employee assistance programme, your team gets access to mental, financial and social support, virtual GPs, nutritionists, life coaches and more to help them live their best lives.Because we believe that your employees should benefit from their insurance from day one — and that wellbeing should be accessible every day, for everyone.Request a demo for your team today.