Half of workers in Northern Ireland believe colleagues are using their children as an excuse to do less work, according to a new survey.
A study by Westfield Health has shown that the coronavirus lockdown has caused rifts in the workforce.
Around a quarter of workers surveyed believe those who were furloughed have had less to worry about.
Around 55% of workers in the north said their mental health had declined. 40% of workers also noticed a decline in their physical health, compared with the UK average of 33%.
The survey highlighted divides between workers who had been furloughed and their colleagues.
Furloughed workers reported concerns around their personal finances and job security.
Around 17% of those surveyed said their pay was being topped up by their employer. And none of the furloughed workers said they have been given a date for when their furlough will end.
Just under a third of workers feel their furloughed colleagues have it easy, with 6% feeling that furloughed workers are getting special treatment.
Dave Capper, CEO of Westfield Health, said businesses need to bridge divides between workers.
"Rifts between those who have been furloughed and those who have carried on working – often with reduced pay – are complex and highly sensitive and can be attached to feelings of self-worth and value," he said.
"With many business leaders focusing on long-term economic stability, there's a risk they'll overlook the challenge and importance of re-unifying divided teams.
"Our experiences and emotions from this time are not shared, they are very personal and our isolation from others is making this worse.
"A productive, thriving business is one that works as a unit. Being aware of and actively working to bridge these divides will be key to getting UK business back on track."
With more than a quarter of employees saying they want more mental health and wellbeing support, Mr Capper warned that workplaces must adapt.
"The biggest mistake businesses can make at the moment is thinking things will go back to how they were," he said.
"Perceptions of colleagues, employers and how we work have all changed - we're returning to somewhere we've never been before. The businesses that will recover and thrive over the next few years will be the ones who see this as an opportunity."
