A new survey suggests the majority of UK workers believe their jobs have a beneficial effect on their health and wellbeing.
A study from income protection provider Cirencester Friendly has found that seven in 10 workers think employment has a positive impact on their health and wellbeing, with just over a third agreeing strongly. Only 12% of respondents said work did not have a positive effect.
The findings indicate that sentiment is broadly consistent across age groups, despite common stereotypes. Among Generation Z, 69% said work benefits their health and wellbeing, a figure only slightly below the 75% recorded for Baby Boomers. Women were marginally more positive than men, at 72% compared with 69%.
Millennials appear to be the most convinced of the benefits of employment. Just 7% of those aged 28 to 43 said work did not contribute positively to their health and wellbeing. This age group also reported the highest levels of satisfaction, with 68% saying work makes them feel satisfied and only 12% reporting dissatisfaction.
The survey was carried out by Opinium Research in August 2025 and included responses from 2,420 UK adults in work.
Alan Waddington, director of distribution at Cirencester Friendly, said: “Our research shows how important it is for peoples’ wellbeing to be able to work.
“With 800,000 more people out of work due to health problems now than in 2019, it has never been more important to help people to return to work after ill health to reverse a growing sickness crisis in the UK.
“Protection insurances, such as income protection, have a vital role to play in this. Not only do they provide financial support to give people the time and resources to concentrate on recovery, but through the additional services they offer, they can provide much needed mental health support to give people the confidence to resume their working lives.”
