GB News presenter Nana Akua has slammed a recent survey suggesting women are twice as likely as men to take time off work due to stress, anxiety or depression, calling the findings "ridiculous" and "nonsensical".
The survey, highlighted in a recent article from The Times, was based on a three-year analysis of Health and Safety Executive labour force data conducted by Man Confidence.
It revealed that women lose an average of 0.91 workdays annually due to stress, anxiety or depression, compared to 0.44 days for men.
The findings suggested women over 55 were the most affected group, missing an average of 1.31 days annually.
Nana Akua said that the findings are 'ridiculous'
GB NEWS
The research attributed this to factors including menopause, ageism, sexism and caregiving responsibilities.
Speaking about the findings on GB News, Nana said: "That's ridiculous. I've never heard anything so nonsensical in all my life, to be honest.
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"I mean, I'm not over 55, I'm just under it, and I'm having the time of my life. There's no pressure on me to have any more children, because I can't have any more, and that's amazing.
"I don't really take time off. I don't understand this. We're saying women are twice as likely to take time off, but we're talking about not even a full day, by the way 0.44 and 0.91. So that's not even a full day. We're literally splitting hairs.
"The reason, I think, why a lot of men possibly just carry on regardless is because many of them have a huge sense of self-importance, and think that life will stop, that the world will stop, if they don't do the job even if they're suffering from some serious ailments.
"Whereas women, if we think something's wrong with us, we will stop. I'm literally trying to convince my partner to go and see a doctor, to go and see anyone. He won't do it. They won't do it. It takes ages.
"So I think this data is very skewed. I don't know why. Obviously, women between 25 and 34 are going to take more time off they're of childbearing age. Of course they're going to do that.
"And as for mental health, even at the end of the piece, it kind of concedes that older men do take time off for mental health."
Host Martin Daubney said: "Well, I reckon here's what it's down to. They say it's anxiety, depression and stress because of the menopause and caregiving.
"I think it's because there's always a bloke who's going to go to work and support him while they have a biscuit and a cup of tea, and, you know, we can't take time off because the world will fall apart if they start taking time off."
Nana said that the data is 'skewed'
GB NEWS
The survey findings come amid growing concerns about workplace mental health across the UK.
According to the research, mental health issues resulted in 16.4 million lost workdays in 2023-24, with particularly high rates in sectors where women are disproportionately employed, including government, education and healthcare.
Experts from the study emphasised that addressing these disparities requires structured support systems rather than simply offering flexible scheduling options.
They also noted that stigma continues to play a significant role in how mental health challenges are reported and addressed in the workplace, particularly among older men who may be reluctant to acknowledge such difficulties.
