More than eight in 10 UK workers believe being unable to work because of illness or injury would damage their personal confidence, research from Cirencester Friendly reveals.

The study found that a third of workers think the impact on confidence would be major, while just 8% believe it would have no effect at all.

Such a loss of confidence, the mutual said, could slow recovery and delay a return to work, with potential consequences for both individuals and employers.

While most generations share these concerns, millennials emerge as the most psychologically invested in work.

CONFIDENCE HIT

More than nine in 10 (91%) millennials say their confidence would be affected if they could not work due to ill health and 37% believe the impact would be major.

That compares with 23% of Generation Z respondents who anticipate a major effect.

Millennials are also the generation most likely to associate work with a sense of purpose. Nearly half (45%) strongly agree that work gives their life meaning, compared with 36% of Gen Z and 30 per cent of Gen X workers, suggesting employment remains a defining feature for those now in their late twenties to early forties.

GENDER DIVIDE

The research highlights a gender divide as well. Women are more likely than men to say their confidence would suffer significantly if they were unable to work, with 38% of women expecting a major impact compared with 28% of men.

Only 6% of women think it would have no effect. Women are also slightly more likely to say work provides a sense of purpose, with 75% agreeing versus 69% of men.

WORK AND WORTH

Alan Waddington, director of distribution at Cirencester Friendly, said: “Work has a huge impact on how we feel about ourselves and our worth. These results show that it is millennials, those people currently aged 28 to 43, who feel this most keenly.

“This is the generation that are likely to be settled in their careers with retirement still a far-off prospect.

“Work is often what defines them and if they are unable to play an active role in the economy due to illness or injury, they are likely to be deeply affected. To help them recover fully, it’s important we acknowledge this impact on their emotions.”

And he added: “This strong connection between work and self-esteem is why we’ve invested in providing additional support to claimants of all ages, providing extra services to help build their confidence and ensure when they are physically able to return to work, they are mentally fit to do so too.”