Workplace Stress and Anxiety: A Growing Cause of Sickness Absence in Nottingham and Derby

Workplace stress and anxiety are now the leading causes of sickness absence across the UK, and employers in Nottingham, Nottinghamshire, Derby and Derbyshire are seeing the impact first-hand.

From rising workloads to ongoing economic pressures, stress-related illness is contributing to long-term sickness absence, reduced productivity and staff turnover across organisations in the East Midlands.

Understanding the scale of workplace stress — and how it affects local businesses — is a crucial step toward creating healthier, more resilient workplaces.

Workplace Stress and Sickness Absence in the East Midlands

According to the UK Health and Safety Executive (HSE), stress, depression and anxiety account for over half of all work-related ill health cases nationally — a trend reflected across Nottinghamshire and Derbyshire workplaces.

Key UK-wide statistics include:

• 1.9 million workers reporting work-related ill health

• 52% of cases linked to stress, depression or anxiety

• 22.1 million working days lost due to stress-related conditions

• An average of 22–23 days off work per case

For employers in Nottingham, Derby and surrounding areas, these figures translate into real operational challenges, particularly in sectors such as healthcare, education, manufacturing, logistics and professional services.

Source:
Health and Safety Executive (HSE) – Working Days Lost
https://www.hse.gov.uk/statistics/dayslost.htm

Stress and Anxiety as a Cause of Long-Term Sickness Absence

Mental health conditions are now one of the most common causes of long-term sickness absence in UK workplaces — including those across the East Midlands.

Research shows:

• 1 in 6 long-term sickness absences are due to mental health conditions

• Work-related stress is the leading cause, followed by anxiety and depression

• Employers increasingly cite mental ill health as their primary driver of extended absence

In Nottingham and Derbyshire, long-term absence linked to stress and anxiety places additional pressure on teams, managers and HR resources, particularly for small and medium-sized organisations.

Source:
HR Review – Mental health and long-term sickness absence
https://hrreview.co.uk/hr-news/poor-mental-health-now-accounts-for-1-in-6-long-term-sickness-absences/376991

The Impact of Workplace Stress on Local Employees and Businesses

The Mental Health Foundation estimates that around 15% of UK workers have an existing mental health condition. Many employees in Nottinghamshire and Derbyshire continue working while experiencing stress or anxiety, often leading to:

• Presenteeism (being at work but not fully productive)

• Reduced engagement and morale

• Higher staff turnover

• Increased management and recruitment costs

• Greater risk of burnout and long-term absence

For local employers, addressing workplace stress early can significantly reduce both human and financial costs.

Source:
Mental Health Foundation – Mental health at work statistics
https://www.mentalhealth.org.uk/explore-mental-health/statistics/mental-health-work-statistics

Why Workplace Stress Is Increasing in Nottingham and Derby

Several factors are contributing to rising stress-related sickness absence across Nottingham, Derby and the wider East Midlands, including:

• Increased workloads and staffing pressures

• Shift work and long hours in key local industries

• Limited work-life balance

• Organisational change and job insecurity

• Lack of access to early mental health support

Without early intervention, these pressures can develop into chronic stress, anxiety and prolonged absence.

Reducing Workplace Stress and Anxiety in Nottinghamshire and Derbyshire

Reducing stress-related sickness absence requires proactive, locally accessible workplace support, not just individual coping strategies.

Effective approaches include:

• Creating psychologically safe workplaces

• Training managers to recognise early signs of stress and anxiety

• Encouraging open conversations about mental health

• Reviewing workloads and role expectations

• Providing access to local mental health and workplace wellbeing support

Organisations across Nottingham and Derby that prioritise employee mental health often experience lower absence rates, improved productivity and stronger staff retention.

Conclusion: Workplace Stress Is a Priority for East Midlands Employers

Workplace stress and anxiety are now the leading causes of work-related sickness absence, affecting organisations across Nottingham, Nottinghamshire, Derby and Derbyshire.

By recognising stress as an organisational risk and taking meaningful action, local employers can protect their workforce, reduce absence and build healthier, more resilient workplaces across the East Midlands.

At Jeaneil Holistic Therapists our team of certified therapists specialise in evidence-based methods designed to mitigate workplace stress, anxiety, and burnout. We offer flexible, on-site wellness solutions tailored to your environment. Whether you have a dedicated room for our therapies (accommodating two couches) or require desk-based treatments, we adapt to your space. For larger groups, we also facilitate immersive Sound Bath sessions.

Explore our full suite of corporate wellness services: https://www.jeaneiltherapies.co.uk/services-packages