People who are economically inactive due to being temporarily sick or long term sick have the lowest average life satisfaction and the highest average anxiety ratings, highlighting the importance of work to the mental well-being of employees.
Research by Legal & General into Office of National Statistics figures found the average life satisfaction rating out of 10 (with 10 being very satisfied) for those who are economically inactive due to long term sickness is 5.7.
The average life satisfaction rating for those who are economically inactive due to temporary sickness is 5.8. The national average is 6.9.
For those that are long term sick and temporarily sick, the average (with 10 being very anxious) of feeling anxious yesterday was 4.7 and 4.9 respectively.
The average rating of feeling anxious yesterday for those who are employed is 3.0.
Commenting on the findings Jim Islam, executive managing director of Legal & General's Corporate Business said: "These findings demonstrate the need to get people fit and back into work as quickly as possible, for both their physical and mental health.
"Employers also benefit from having their employees back working as soon as possible.
"It is therefore essential that employers have support in place that can intervene quickly and provide the most effective treatment for the employee."
