Work stress, mental wellbeing and presenteeism in employees in the United Kingdom during the COVID19 pandemic (EMPOWER study)

Work stress and related anxiety and depression can have an enormous impact on the well-being and work productivity of employees. In the context of the European platforM to PromOteWellbeing and HEalth in the workplace (EMPOWER) study, we report characteristics of 334employees recruited in NHS mental health trusts and a University in the United Kingdom. 89(35%)reported presenteeism. Mean(SD) depression score (PHQ9) was 7.4(5.6), anxiety score (GAD7)5.9(4.6), somatisation score (PHQ-15) 7.8(4.3) and wellbeing score (WHO-5) 42.7(21.2). In the group reporting presenteeism, scores were significantly worse (p < .001) for depression (9.69);anxiety (7.36), and wellbeing (34.38). However, none of the scores reached clinical level. Pearson correlation analysis showed significant associations between mental health and presenteeism. Depression and anxiety (.73) and somatisation (.59) were associated with large effect sizes. Well-being was negatively associated with depression (-.75) and anxiety (-.58). Depression(.38), anxiety (.29), somatisation (.33) and wellbeing (-.30) were associated with presenteeism. Regarding adverse work circumstances, 65% reported too much work to do, 54% had to adapt to continual changes, 41% reported poor communication within the organisation, 38% had working hours hindering private life, 30% reported a bad working atmosphere, 25% reported lack of influence on how the job was performed, and 24% reported lack of or inappropriate means to perform the job. Pearson correlation analysis showed significant associations between stress levels due to psychosocial risk factors at the workplace and mental health outcomes such as depression (.39),anxiety (.36), somatisation (.29), a negative association with wellbeing (-.43) and an association between work-related stress levels and presenteeism (.21). Conclusion: The participants in this sample indicated elevated stress levels due to psychosocial risk factors at the workplace associated with depression, anxiety, somatisation, low well-being and presenteeism. Given the numerous reported adverse work circumstances, the finding that average levels of depression, anxiety and low well-being in the sample were mild might indicate factors enhancing resilience of the workforce that warrant further study.