Encouraging annual leave can prevent financial loss

Stress-related absence increased last year and accounted for over half (54 percent) of working days lost, according to the Chartered Institute of Personnel and Development (CIPD) health and wellbeing survey. The CIPD explained that poor mental health can lead to increased staff turnover, lost productivity and reduced engagement.

A survey from Britain’s Healthiest Workplace found that high stress is causing industries to lose up to 27 days of productive time per employee each year. The same study found that the UK is missing out on around £77bn a year due to loss of productivity due to poor mental health, often caused by stress.

The NHS Confederation has also revealed that doctors are seeing a rise in people reporting severe mental health difficulties. It’s predicted this rise could mean demand for referrals to mental health services outstrips pre-coronavirus levels by as much as 20 percent.

Business insurance firm Vintage Health explained that by encouraging workers to take their full entitlement of annual leave over the year, firms can boost employee wellbeing and aid productivity as it gives employees the chance to rest and relax.

The CIPD agreed that taking a break can support mental wellbeing, as it gives workers the time to reduce stress levels and improve mental health, in turn reducing the negative impact poor mental health can have in the workplace.