Firms benefit from making workplace more 'mentally healthy'

Employment Law & HR update 19/05/2011

The Chief Executive of mental health charity Mind has advised employers to make their workplaces more 'mentally healthy.'

Following research which revealed that many staff members refrain from admitting to feelings of stress or depression for fear of being sacked, Mind has said that stress should no longer be a taboo topic.

Mind's Paul Farmer, said, “The negativity that persists around stress and mental health problems is unacceptable in a modern workforce. Pressure and stress may be part of our working lives, but failing to recognise that everyone has a limit is a mistake that costs businesses billions of pounds a year.

“Rather than shying away from the issue, it’s more important than ever that businesses invest in staff well-being and encourage an open culture, where staff can come forward about the pressures they are feeling and be supported,” he added.

Mr Farmer went on to advise firms that making the workplace more mentally healthy does not have to be expensive. He advised making 'simple practical changes, such as making sure your staff take proper breaks or giving them the chance to talk about work pressures.'

Firms can reap many benefits from doing so, including minimising sickness absence, cutting costs and gaining a productive and committed workforce.

The Mind survey found that one in five employees felt that coming clean about their stress levels would result in them being forced out of their jobs. Twenty-two per cent of workers who had admitted to a mental health issue in a previous role reported that they had been sacked. Seven out of ten employees said that their managers would not help them to cope with stress levels.