New research from The Exeter suggests prolonged periods of ill health are becoming a common feature of working life, with implications for productivity, financial resilience and wellbeing.

Nearly half of UK adults have taken four weeks or more off work at some point in their careers due to illness, injury or mental health, according to a new study by The Exeter.

The insurer’s survey of 2,000 adults highlights the extent to which extended absences are disrupting working lives, particularly among younger employees and those in larger organisations.

The research found that 44% of respondents have experienced an absence of at least four weeks. Men were more likely than women to report taking extended time away from work, with 49% of male workers saying they have done so, compared with 39% of female workers.

Among those who have taken extended leave, 18% of men said the absence occurred within the past year, against 9% of women.

The findings point to a pronounced impact on younger adults. Nearly two-thirds of those aged 25 to 34, equivalent to 62%, reported having taken extended leave from work at some point, underlining the scale of disruption earlier in working lives.

EMPLOYER SIZE AND REGIONAL VARIATION

The likelihood of extended absence also varies by employer size. Just over one in five small business owners, or 21%, reported taking four weeks or more off work. This compares with 53% of employees working for medium-sized companies with between 50 and 249 staff, and 51% of those employed by larger firms with more than 250 employees.

Recent absences were also more common in larger organisations, where 22% of employees said they had taken an extended period off work within the past year.

Geography appears to play a role as well. Half of respondents in Greater London reported taking extended time off work, the highest proportion recorded. This contrasts with 36% in the West Midlands and 39% in Wales, compared with a national average of 44%, suggesting marked regional differences in experience.

The research also highlights wider pressures on personal lives and healthcare access. Nearly three in ten respondents, or 28%, said they had been forced to cancel or postpone plans due to delays within the NHS.

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.”