The latest sickness absence figures reveal a significant issue, with 148.9 million working days (4.4 days per worker) lost due to sickness or injury across UK businesses in 2024.
Burnout is a major contributor, affecting almost a third of desk workers (28%), more than half of whom have had to take time off work as a result (52%), according to a recent study.
The latest government figures on working hours have been analysed* to reveal the industries that could be most at risk of burnout challenges, based on overtime levels.
The UK industry where employees work the most overtime is the transportation and storage sector, with around 5 hours and 42 minutes extra per week. Employees in the sector already work an average of more than 39 regular paid hours per week — more than any other industry besides mining and quarrying (39 hours and 54 minutes) and higher than the national average of 36 hours and 36 minutes.
While this approach can provide short-term flexibility for businesses, it can also lead to burnout. In turn, this overworking could eventually lead to worker retention issues. Overall, higher levels of overtime may pose risks for businesses, particularly regarding employee well-being and operational sustainability.
Joe Phelan, money.co.uk business bank accounts expert, comments:”Attracting and retaining high-quality talent doesn’t just come down to salary – it’s also about meeting evolving expectations around working conditions. Today’s employees are more willing to walk away from roles that don’t offer a healthy work-life balance or prioritise wellbeing. That means businesses need to offer more than just pay; they must create environments with manageable hours, flexibility, and genuine support.
“When companies get this right, they typically see lower staff turnover, higher engagement, and more consistent productivity, all of which feed into more stable operations and healthier cash flow. And with greater financial predictability comes the ability to plan and grow with confidence. That’s where the right financial tools, like a dedicated business bank account, can make a real difference, by helping manage day-to-day cash flow and supporting long-term success.”
*Analysis from money.co.uk business bank accounts
