A recent report commissioned by Theresa May revealed poor mental health is costing the UK economy up to £99bn each year. In many workplaces, mental health is a taboo subject, even though it’s an illness that affects 1 in 6 people.
The report also showed that many employers don’t understand the crucial role they can play in ensuring that employees who may be struggling, receive the support they need. It makes recommendations on implementing this support through creating an online wellbeing portal and using digital technology.
Some companies who were praised for helping their employees manage their mental health had already implemented a great support network, including adjusting workloads and encouraging employees to speak out when they needed help.
The report recommends that employers should: –
- Create a mental health at work plan
- Make information about mental health available
- Ensure support is accessible
- Encourage workers to speak up when they need help
- Provide good working conditions
- Ensure employees have a healthy work-life balance
- Regularly monitor employees’ mental health
- Promote effective people management by holding regular conversations about health and well-being with their staff.
The report pointed out to employers the huge cost each year to businesses due to staff suffering from mental health problems and the fact that people with long-term mental health problems were leaving jobs at twice the rate of colleagues with no such issues.
At Simpkins & Co, we are specialists in employment law and members of the Employment Lawyers Association (ELA). Do you need help with any employment/HR issues, whether as an employer or employee? Contact us on 01425 275555 for your FREE, no-obligation initial consultation or visit www.simpkinsand.co.uk.
