40% also admitted to overeating when stressed.
Over a quarter of Brits have called in sick at least once due to work stress, according to new research highlighting a growing but often hidden workplace crisis.
Astutis, one of the UK’s leading training providers, has revealed the scale and knock-on effects of the country’s silent stress epidemic in its latest national study.
The Workplace Silent Stress Survey 2025, conducted with more than 553 participants, paints a picture of a workforce under increasing pressure across multiple industries.
The research found that over a quarter of employees have taken stress-related sick leave, a problem that costs UK businesses significantly in lost time and productivity.
Stress is also affecting day-to-day performance, with 52.6 per cent of respondents admitting they have made mistakes at work when feeling overwhelmed.
A third of people, around 32.9 per cent, also reported clashing with colleagues when stressed, highlighting how pressure can damage workplace relationships and team cohesion.
The impact of stress does not stop at the office, as nearly three-quarters of Brits said poor sleep quality follows periods of high stress.
Around 40 per cent also admitted to overeating when stressed, showing how work pressures are increasingly spilling into personal health and home life.
Stress-related sick leave reduces workforce capacity, creating operational gaps that ripple across teams and place additional strain on remaining staff.
At the same time, nearly two-thirds of employees said they have considered leaving their job due to stress, increasing recruitment and training costs for employers.
Productivity also suffers when mistakes and missed deadlines delay projects and risk harming client relationships and business reputations.
Team clashes caused by stress weaken collaboration, lower morale, and slowly erode company culture, threatening long term sustainability.
Brenig Moore, Technical Director and Health and Safety expert at Astutis, shared insight into the findings and their wider implications:
“Stress quietly affects performance, well-being, and ultimately, personal lives.”
“Much like a slow leak in a tyre, it gradually erodes pressure and stability, leading to declining standards and productivity.
“Personal fatigue and mental health should be enough reason for employees to take stress seriously, especially when it affects sleep, eating habits, smoking or drinking.
“However, the actions employees take when overworked can cost businesses significant money through mistakes and skipped work.
‘Tackling stress is not just about protecting wellbeing, but also about protecting profitability, reputation and long-term sustainability.”
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