According to workers in India, the Philippines and the United States, British employees are uncomfortable in their jobs, which raises concerns about the UK marking productivity.
A global survey of 70,000 employees found that workers in the UK reported higher workplace anxiety and well-being than countries such as South Africa, Kenya, Kenya, the United Arab Emirates, India and the Philippines.
Workers in the UK also scored below average workplace well-being in the US, India and Philippines – a measure that includes whether employees believe that employers care about their own well-being.
Lord Price, the former Whiteroth boss who founded Workl, said the findings helped explain the long-running productivity issues in the UK.
“We know from extensive research that happier employees are more productive,” he said. “They provide additional discretionary efforts and reduce sick days. Achievement of happier workforce should be seen as a strategic priority for the UK economy.”
The result is a few days after Prime Minister Rachel Reeves promised to focus her next budget on improving productivity. UK output per worker has been lagging behind other G7 countries, weighing company profits and wage growth.
Data from the Resolution Foundation earlier this year showed that productivity in the UK fell by 0.5% between 2019 and 2024, while productivity in the US rose by 9.1% over the same period. According to the Office of National Statistics (ONS), the productivity in the public sector remains below pre-pandemic levels by 4.2%, despite a 2.7% year-on-year increase in the first quarter of 2025.
Lord Price also warned that the number of people leaving the workforce has increased since the pandemic, citing burnout, poor health and inflexible work arrangements as key drivers.
“By rethinking how, when and where to get the job done, we can attract more people to fulfill their jobs, retain valuable skills and unlock economic growth,” he said. “This is not only good for individuals, but also part of the solution to one of the most pressing economic challenges in the UK.”
