Pleasanteeism

Most organisations believe they have visibility on workforce health. They track absence, review claims data and analyse utilisation. On paper, that feels comprehensive. Yet hidden ill-health continues to build beneath the surface. Workforce risk rarely starts with absence. It begins earlier, in the quiet stage of pleasanteeism, long before cost becomes visible. The next evolution of workforce health is not about adding more benefits. It is about shortening the feedback loop

Nearly seven in ten UK employees are now pretending to be well at work when they are not, according to new research from Lime Health, marking a sharp increase from 51% reported in 2021.

Sir Charlie Mayfield’s Keep Britain Working report arrives at a defining moment for the UK. With over one in five working-age adults out of work due to health issues, the link between work and wellbeing must be rebuilt. At Lime, we share this mission — to keep Britain working by keeping Britain well.

Most organisations see absence rates and rising costs — but not the real cause behind them. Beneath the surface lies an invisible health gap affecting 86% of the UK workforce. This gap isn’t just about access to care — it’s about lost time, hidden costs, and untapped potential.

Employee healthcare isn’t just about wellbeing apps or fitness perks, it’s about time saved. In conditions like sepsis or heart disease, every hour of delay can mean the difference between recovery and tragedy. Employers who provide rapid access to urgent care don’t just support wellbeing; they save lives, protect families, and safeguard businesses.

Inaction doesn’t keep things the same, it quietly makes them worse. At Lime Health, the answer isn’t more of the same. It’s a shift in mindset: healthcare designed for the whole workforce.

Our landmark Pleasanteeism research uncovered a reality that many people experience daily. The pressure to appear okay when you are not. Over half of UK workers say they feel they must put on a brave face at work, while a quarter are struggling to cope altogether.