Nearly one million workers in Britain suffer from stress, depression, and anxiety.
These are the latest statistics from the Health and Safety Executive (HSE). The figures from the workplace regulator show there were an estimated 914,000 cases of work-related stress, depression, or anxiety in 2021/22 and an estimated 17 million working days lost.
DO SOMETHING NOW
More than ever employers need to ensure that there are up to date arrangements in place to support their employees’ well-being.
JUST THE LATEST FAD!
It’s been a tough few years and mental health seems to be the latest “buzz” word. It’s tempting to ignore it and hope it goes away.
For small businesses making new arrangements around mental health may seem onerous and a little “new age”. However it is not only the “right” thing to do, morally and legally, it actually makes good business sense.
A recent survey from Deloitte suggests the total annual cost of poor mental health to employers has increased by 25% since 2019, costing UK employers up to £56 billion a year. Deloitte’s findings also suggest that UK bosses will receive an average return of £5 for every £1 spent on mental health.
GOOD NEWS
The good news is there are some great resources to help employers comply with their legal duties around mental health.
The HSE has created a Talking Toolkit to assist employers in speaking to their employees and taking the important first step towards preventing work-related stress and developing the actions and stress risk assessment employers need to comply with the law.
By law employers need to assess the risk of work-related stress and to put steps in place to tackle those risks. This can also reduce sickness absence, boost morale and therefore help improve productivity.
Work Right is a campaign by the Health & Safety Executive aimed at helping smaller businesses and workers. The Working Minds section offers a range of tools and support to help businesses and workers understand the best ways to prevent work related stress and encourage good mental health. Check out the helpful sample risk assessments. Click below:
Simple steps can make a huge difference to someone’s working life, and we spend a huge proportion of our lives at work…