A recent report highlights the escalating issue of mental health-related absenteeism among retail workers, particularly impacting the younger generation.
- A survey involving over 1,300 retail employees reveals concerning statistics about absenteeism due to mental health struggles, with a significant impact on younger staff.
- The Retail Trust’s new findings underscore the urgent need for improved mental health support within the retail sector, as absenteeism and underperformance rise.
- Employers in the retail industry are urged to invest in mental health initiatives as a third of younger staff and call centre workers miss work due to psychological distress.
- The report reveals that retail managers have observed a marked increase in mental health-related absences, necessitating proactive measures from employers.
The issue of mental health affecting the workforce in the retail sector has been highlighted by a recent survey conducted by the Retail Trust. It was revealed that 29% of young retail workers, specifically those born between 1997 and 2012, and 31% of call centre staff, have taken time off work due to mental health issues.
These findings, released on 17 September 2024, indicate that 17% of shop workers have missed at least one day of work in the past year because of poor mental wellbeing. Furthermore, the report shows that these issues are particularly prevalent among younger staff and call centre employees, who are twice as likely to call in sick for mental health reasons.
Retail managers have noted a considerable rise in absences related to mental health challenges. Chris Brook-Carter, chief executive of the Retail Trust, points out that despite retailers not being the direct cause of these health issues, they inevitably face the repercussions through increased absenteeism and reduced performance.
The survey also highlights that nearly three-quarters of retail employees report underperformance linked to mental health struggles, illustrating a significant concern for productivity and workplace effectiveness.
Various industry leaders have commented on this issue, emphasizing the need for retailers to create supportive environments. One notable comment from an outdoors retailer’s head of people stressed the importance of addressing the impact of absenteeism on the workforce and overall business operations.
A home and fashion retailer’s HR director remarked that reducing absenteeism by supporting mental health is a key management priority. Employers are encouraged to adopt methods such as enhancing workplace culture, empowering self-management, and upskilling managers to better support their teams.
Addressing mental health and creating a supportive work environment in the retail sector is vital for mitigating absenteeism and enhancing productivity.
