Mental Health in the Workplace

Alex ConnorSenior Health Improvement Practitioner

The Business Case• It is estimated that a total of 2.2m working days are lost every year

through mental ill health in Scotland (SAMH, 2007)

• Each case of stress-related ill health leads to an average of 29 working days lost per person per year (CITB)

• 34% of mental health service users are dismissed or forced to resign work because of mental health issues (Read & Barker)

• 53% of service users in employment are fearful of revealing their mental health problems to employers (MIND 2001)

• 30% unemployment among people with disabilities but 72% for people disabled through mental ill health (Disability Rights Commission Scotland)

Benefits of a mentally healthy workplace• People who have experienced a mental health problem can be

more aware of their own strengths and weakness

• Providing support at an early stage can prevent escalation of a condition

• Staff will feel supported and valued resulting in a healthier, more motivated and productive workforce

• Employment or other valued activity is key to maintaining positive mental health

• Your reputation and profile will be enhanced as a responsible and well managed organisation helping to attract and keep employees

Legislation relating to workplaces

• The Health and Safety at Work etc Act 1974• The Equality Act 2010

• The Act protects all workers

• At every stage of the recruitment process

• During employment

• In relation to harassment

• At termination of employment

• During any redundancy programme

Protection for People withMental Health Problems• Can disclose problem at any point

• Employers must consider ‘reasonable adjustments’ from time of disclosure

• Direct discrimination, victimisation, harassment and a failure to make adjustments that are reasonable can never be justified

Reasonable AdjustmentsEmployers:

• Have a duty to provide reasonable adjustments

• Must negotiate reasonable adjustments with employee

• Financial burden not an automatic reason not to make adjustments

• Examples of reasonable adjustments

Job Retention Strategies• Positive perspective on mental illness• Job satisfaction• A good fit between the job and the individual’s skills

and abilities• Supportive and well trained management• Early intervention and sufficient time off work to aid

recovery• Individually tailored return to work programmes and

workplace adjustments

Creating a Mentally Healthy Workplace

• Working conditions• Staff consultation• Clear expectations• Stigma and discrimination• Pace and style of work• Regular supervision and appraisal• Provide reasonable adjustments • Reward achievement• Promote healthy lifestyles

Health at WorkTel: 0141 314 0024www.healthatwork.org.uk

Healthy Working LivesAdviceline 0800 019 2211www.healthyworkinglives.com