Initiative member
A recent independent review commissioned by the Prime Minister has revealed the extent of mental health problems within the UK workplace, and the steps that employers should be taking to ensure that they offer adequate support to their employees.
The Stevenson / Farmer review discovered that 300,000 people with a long term mental health condition lose their job each year - a higher rate than those who lose their job as a result of a physical health condition.
They also found that the prevalence of mental health issues within the workplace is extremely high, with 15% of UK workers suffering from symptoms of a mental health problem. Poor mental health in the UK was calculated to have a knock-on effect on the economy of an estimated £74 - 99 billion loss each year.
The report set out specific "mental health core standards" that they recommend employers adopt within their business, to ensure that mental health issues are managed and employees are supported.
These include provisions such as:
- Producing, implementing and communicating a mental health plan at work
- Providing employees with good working conditions and a healthy work-life balance
- Routinely monitoring employee wellbeing
The guidelines apply to all businesses, large and small - therefore there is no excuse for not acting to ensure that mental health practices are adopted within your organisation.
Employers should be acting to support employees suffering from mental health issues, in line with the guidelines produced, and should approach conversations about mental health issues with understanding and without prejudice.
For further information, please contact Gareth Edwards, in our Employment Law team, on 0117 314 5220 or at gedwards@vwv.co.uk
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