A new study has found that 39% of UK employees have left a job due to unfavourable working conditions, with others experiencing poor wellbeing in the workplace leading to reductions in productivity, mental wellbeing and workplace harmony, according to UK-based accountancy charity CABA.

The research showed that women were most likely to leave a job due to unfavourable working conditions (43% vs 36% of men). An additional 20% of employees said that while they had not left, they did come close.

According to the study, as a result of poor wellbeing, 42% of employees said they’d taken more sick days, 63% of employees said they’d taken longer to get jobs done due to decreased productivity and 54% said they’d experienced confrontations with their colleagues.

Meanwhile, 58% said they’d experienced reduced mental wellbeing, such as suffering with stress, anxiety or depression, due to poor personal wellbeing at work. Additionally, 74% of employees said their concentration had been affected and 53% had seen poor results or performance.

In London, the figures were higher with more Londoners having left a job due to unfavourable working conditions (47% of Londoners vs 39% UK average). Londoners have taken more sick days due to poor treatment than the UK average (53% vs 42%) and Londoners’ productivity in the workplace was also affected more due to poor wellbeing – 71% vs UK average of 63%.  Londoners were more likely to have experienced reduced mental wellbeing, such as suffering with stress, anxiety or depression, due to poor personal wellbeing at work (63% vs 58% UK average).

“The workplace is changing; it’s no longer somewhere to turn up, do a job and go home,” Kelly Feehan, Services Director for CABA, said. “So much more is demanded from employees nowadays with our ‘always on’ culture, so how we treat employees needs to change too. This includes motivating them, keeping them engaged and then working with them to support their health and wellbeing both in and out of work. Employers lacking a holistic wellness policy will most likely be seeing these dips in productivity and decreased employee loyalty. Employee wellbeing is not a nice-to-have, it’s a necessity if employers want to attract and retain the best talent.”

CABA’s research also showed that two in three employees stated they worked overtime, and were not strict about leaving on time, despite how it can affect work-life balance and their productivity. An additional 67% said they looked at emails outside of working hours and 55% said they do not get plenty of sleep, despite 49% wishing they did.

“For businesses to get the best out of their workforce, they need to remind them to take care of themselves, this forms a basic duty of care,” Feehan said.