Study Uncovers Stark Gender Disparities in Workplace Health Support
A recent study by online prescription service UK Meds has revealed that women in the UK are 63% more likely than men to feel unsupported at work when dealing with health issues, highlighting persistent gender inequalities in workplace wellbeing.
According to the Workplace Health and Wellbeing 2025 Survey, which analysed responses from employees across 280 UK workplaces, nearly 60% of women feel their health concerns are not taken seriously, both generally and in professional environments.
Key findings include:
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13% of women feel completely unsupported at work when facing health challenges.
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Men are twice as likely to receive private medical insurance through work.
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Three in four women have worked while unwell, and they are significantly more likely to request sick leave via email or message rather than in person.
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Women are 27% more likely to worry about team perception when taking sick leave, and 24% more likely to fear judgment when requesting mental health days.
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However, women are 31.59% more likely to confide in colleagues about health issues, indicating reliance on informal peer support.
The study calls on employers to tackle workplace health stigmas and implement inclusive health policies. Dr Alexis Missick, GP, emphasised the importance of fostering open dialogue around health to build a supportive and resilient workforce.
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