YOUNG workers are now three times more likely to be forced to take time off for stress compared with older colleagues, a survey has shown.

A worrying 35 per cent of workers aged 18 to 24 needed time off last year because of poor mental health caused by stress, Mental Health UK said.

Meanwhile the rate for over-55s fell from 15 per cent to one in 10, the charity’s second annual Burnout Report found.

The proportion for 45 to 54-year-olds also dropped from 18 to 14 per cent last year.

Younger workers were most likely to feel stressed because of having to regularly work unpaid overtime — 48 per cent of 18 to 24-year-olds cited this as a reason — and taking on extra hours to deal with the increased cost of living (46 per cent).

Workers aged 25-34 reported high stress caused by a high or increased workload and fears of redundancy or around job security.

When it comes to switching off from work, only a third of 18 to 24-year-olds said they could when they needed to, compared with 46 per cent of those aged 55 and above.

TUC general secretary Paul Nowak said: “No-one should be pushed to the brink because of their job. 

“Gruelling hours, pace and expectations at work are growing problems up and down the country. This is a recipe for burnt-out Britain. 

“Young workers are particularly likely to work in sectors, such as hospitality, where insecure work is rife. 

“And they bore the brunt of job cuts during the pandemic shutdown four years ago. 

“This is why it is vital that Parliament passes the Employment Rights Bill, which will clamp down on zero-hours contracts and bring in unfair dismissal protections from day one in the job.” 

The survey also revealed far fewer feel comfortable opening up to bosses about the pressure they are under.

Mental Health UK chief executive Brian Dow said: “Our survey clearly reveals it is young people most at risk of high stress in the workplace, but raises doubts around whether they feel able to open up to their line manager and explore reasonable adjustments that could help prevent burnout.

“As the gap between generations widens, there’s a need to rebuild bridges and open up conversations on changing attitudes and expectations around work.”