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Mental health and stress in the workplace

Fri, 3 March 2006

A recent study funded by the Foundation reports that employers could do more to support employees experiencing problems with mental health and stress.

The report by the National Institute of Economic and Social Research found that whilst promoting the mental health of employees makes good financial sense for employers, many are unwilling to acknowledge the role that work can play in causing stress and mental illness.

Welfare or farewell? Mental health and stress in the workplace reveals that many employers believe that stress and common mental health problems have their roots in the personal and domestic lives of their employees. And while many do have policies on stress, these are often driven by the employer’s need for legal protection. Report author Dr Heather Rolfe said the distinction was not helpful.

‘Many people are simply not able to pinpoint the source of their stress, but it does often show itself at work first. For this reason, help provided through an employer can be quick and effective,’ Dr Rolfe said. But employers, while willing to provide some form of help, were often concerned about costs. Support, such as counselling, was often rationed to one or two sessions or only made available to particular groups.

Employers can do far more to promote mental health, Dr Rolfe noted, and the end result would be beneficial to both parties. ‘The costs of adaptations, such as flexible working and temporary changes to the job, are often minimal. They can help to avoid the high costs of sick leave, dismissal and replacement of staff,’ she said. ‘Provision for people with mental health problems may not involve a seismic shift in an employer’s practice.’

More information can be found here

Last Updated Fri, 3 March 2006