The Retail Trust’s new report reveals critical insights into mental health impacts on the retail workforce, highlighting absenteeism and underperformance among younger employees and call centre staff.
- A substantial 29% of Generation Z retail employees have missed work due to mental health challenges, while call centre staff show a slightly higher rate of 31%.
- The report indicates that 17% of shop workers have missed workdays in the past year due to mental health issues, accentuating a widespread problem.
- Approximately 49% of retail managers have noticed an uptick in absenteeism linked to mental health in the last twelve months.
- Three quarters of retail staff acknowledge that mental health problems are affecting their job performance, calling for urgent workplace interventions.
The Retail Trust has published an alarming report indicating significant mental health issues within the retail workforce. Based on a survey of over 1,300 retail workers, the findings point to a concerning trend of absenteeism due to mental health problems, particularly among younger employees and call centre staff. This issue affects 29% of Generation Z employees and 31% of call centre personnel, underscoring the necessity for enhanced mental health support initiatives.
The study uncovered that 17% of shop workers have taken leave due to mental health conditions in the past year. Moreover, retail managers are acutely aware of this growing issue, with nearly half (49%) observing an increase in absenteeism directly related to mental health concerns.
Chris Brook-Carter, the chief executive of the Retail Trust, emphasized the gravity of these findings, highlighting that the retail sector, as the largest employer outside the public sector, bears significant workforce implications. He acknowledged that while retailers are not the root cause of their employees’ mental health issues, they experience the repercussions through absenteeism and diminished performance. Retailers are urged to invest in training, cultivate positive work environments, and implement preventive measures to support their workforce.
Responses from industry leaders underscore the impact of absenteeism on organisational performance. A head of people at an outdoor retail company noted a rise in long-term health issues, stressing the knock-on effects on colleagues and financial outcomes. A home and fashion retailer’s HR director identified absenteeism as a critical concern, outlining their commitment to enabling employee attendance through support initiatives.
The survey further revealed that 71% of retail employees feel that mental health challenges are impairing their work performance. This statistic calls for immediate action from retailers to address these challenges by fostering workplace cultures that prioritise employee well-being.
These findings compel urgent action from retail employers to address mental health challenges, promoting a healthier, more productive workforce.
