35% of UK workers would choose to 'sever' work memories

The figure rises to 46% among Gen Z workers, highlighting significant concerns about work-life balance in modern workplaces.

The study, conducted by workplace mental health platform Unmind among 2,000 UK employees, comes as the TV series approaches its finale and demonstrates how the show’s themes resonate with real-world workplace challenges.

Blurring Boundaries

According to the findings, 41% of employees struggle to disconnect from work during personal time, with 44% regularly checking work emails outside working hours. Meanwhile, 40% report being contacted by their employer outside of scheduled work times.

The research also shows concerning trends regarding workplace identity, with 38% of respondents admitting to adopting a different "work persona" separate from their authentic selves. Nearly a third (30%) feel their job consumes too much of their identity, making it difficult to separate professional and personal lives. These figures increase dramatically among Gen Z respondents to 52% and 44% respectively.

Productivity Theatre and Wellbeing Concerns

The pressure to appear busy remains prevalent in UK workplaces, with one in three employees (33%) – rising to 47% of Gen Z workers – admitting to having pretended to be busy to appear productive.

Only 56% of respondents report satisfaction with their work-life balance, while 29% have considered leaving their job due to poor boundaries between work and personal life. More than a third (36%) experience guilt when taking time off.

Mental Health Impact

The study connects these workplace pressures to broader mental health concerns. Additional Unmind research found that almost one in five (19%) UK workers have taken sick leave for mental health reasons in the past year, with this figure rising to 34% among 18-24 year olds and 31% for 25-34 year olds.

In what may concern HR and reward professionals, 83% of employees identified burnout as a significant and common issue in their workplace, while 61% have observed increased turnover or absences related to mental health issues.

Creating Healthier Workplaces

Dr. Nick Taylor, CEO and co-founder of Unmind, commented: "The fact that so many employees relate to the characters in Severance shows just how blurred the lines between work and personal life have become. The challenge for organisations is to create a culture where employees feel comfortable setting boundaries, rather than feeling the need to compartmentalise their work and personal identities."

He added: "Rather than employees feeling they need to disconnect entirely from work to protect their mental health, leaders should build cultures where people feel able to bring their whole selves to work without feeling overwhelmed or burnt out. Taking a whole-person approach – one that supports mental, emotional, and social wellbeing through proactive tools, therapy and coaching – is essential for long-term productivity, engagement, and wellbeing."