Debt worries cause work life to suffer

The full extent to which serious debt affects our working lives is revealed today by talkaboutdebt.co.uk, the free debt help website. According to research commissioned by the company over a quarter 27% of people in serious debt believe it has affected the quality of their work.

For one in five the stress of dealing with their debt problems is so extreme that they are unable to return to work. Meanwhile 15% admit to needing sick days to sort out their debt problems.

Other side-effects revealed by those in serious debt include at least half of people feeling they can’t concentrate (55%) when at work and making silly mistakes (29%) because of the extent of their debt stress. For those who have been unable to return to work, the impact is even more significant as lack of income makes it even harder to get out of debt, and the cycle continues. Almost two thirds (61%) also say they are not sleeping because of their worries.

Jessica Bown, independent financial journalist, Talkaboutdebt.co.uk said: “This research shows that for those in serious debt, the impact is incredibly far-reaching. It’s clear that when stress levels get so high as to cause lack of sleep and time off work, then something needs to be done.

“The figures also reveal that a fifth of people in serious debt have still not returned to work - a shocking statistic. It is clear that debt stress can have terrible consequences, and we want to make sure that people get the right kind of help and don’t have to suffer alone. Talkaboutdebt.co.uk offers free expert debt advice to those that need it and is committed to finding the right solution for an individual’s circumstances.”

Talkaboutdebt.co.uk wants to raise awareness of serious debt, and tackle the stigma around it, so that those affected can seek the help they need. The website provides free, impartial advice to give the best solution to each individual, and to help people work themselves out of debt and return to their normal lives.