Member Article

Over half of employers don't meet basic mental health standards

Coinciding with Stress Awareness Month, workplace health and wellbeing expert, Health@Work, has revealed that 57% of UK employers do not meet the basic standards when it comes to supporting their staff with mental health.

The research follows a recent study by the NHS, which found that one in three ‘sick notes’ are for mental health, making it the most common reason for people to take time off work, costing businesses £10.6 billion in sickness absence and £21.2 billion in reduced productivity.

Health@Work’s research found that 33% of employers do nothing to support the wellbeing of their staff, despite 93% considering workplace wellbeing to be an important business need and over half (51%) stating that they would be likely to invest in workplace wellbeing.

In order to combat this issue, Health@Work – which has been providing expertise on health, safety and wellbeing for over 25 years – has developed the Workplace Wellbeing Charter, to help seamlessly embed workplace wellbeing into every aspect of an organisation.

Matt Liggins, Director of Wellbeing at Health@Work, said: “We know that business growth relies on sustainable cultures and practices that focus on how well its people perform. Mental health is a huge issue for businesses and our research highlights the need for employers to seek guidance for the care of their employees.

“We created the Workplace Wellbeing Charter to help improve the health of businesses, making them stronger, more productive and more profitable. Over the years, we have delivered training to thousands of delegates, working with all kinds of businesses from sole traders to huge organisations such as Jaguar Land Rover, United Utilities and NHS England.

“By acting as a critical friend for businesses and shaping how people think about workplace wellbeing, encouraging open conversations about all important aspects of health including stress, anxiety, depression and other mental health issues, we can enable businesses to proactively address issues within their organisation to ensure a healthy culture and positive working environment.”

The accreditation has been created for businesses to demonstrate their commitment to improving the lives of their employees, through an interactive self-assessment tool, site visits, action plans and evidence gathering.

To find out more about the Workplace Wellbeing Charter or to start your business’ accreditation process, visit: www.wellbeingcharter.org.uk

This was posted in Bdaily's Members' News section by Health@Work .