Public-sector absence is at 2.9% (vs. 1.8% in private sector in 2024) — consistently higher than private sector since 2019
Civil-Service days lost jumped to an average of 8.1 days in 2023–24, the highest in 10 years, with nearly half of long-term absence due to mental illness
Long-term absence rose post-pandemic: 3.51 days for civil servants in 2022–23 (vs. 2.86 days in 2020–21), among a record 2.8 million people on long-term sick leave across the UK
Almost 12% of civil servants changed role or left by March 2023 — highest churn since 2010 — with 9% leaving altogether, citing pay, low morale, and process inefficiencies
73% of NHS workers experience burnout or emotional exhaustion at work at least some of the time.
One in eight NHS staff intend to leave in the next year, with many airing fears about burnout and worker shortages.
On average senior public sector managers work between 40 and 60 hours per week (despite being contracted to 37) with serious consequences.
Burn-out is particularly prevalent in high-stress professions like healthcare, education and social services.
If this continues we won't have any professionals left to deliver our vital public services!