New CIPD report on mental health at work
Research by the CIPD finds that most employers are taking a reactive approach to employees’ mental health problems, but preventative steps make better business sense.
The research also revealed that the the number of people saying that they have experienced mental health problems while in employment has climbed from a quarter to a third over the last five years.
Despite this, the majority of employees still don’t feel that people experiencing mental health issues are supported well enough at work.
The CIPD is calling on organisations to take a more proactive approach to employees’ mental wellbeing, encouraging a culture of openness in their workplace and training line managers so they are well-equipped to provide support for employees.
Emma Mamo, our Head of Workplace Wellbeing, was asked to write a foreword for the report:
“We are now at a tipping point. Despite the increased awareness of the importance of addressing this issue, there’s still a long way to go, with 42% of respondents in this survey reporting that they don’t think that their employer fosters an open and inclusive working environment.
In order to create a mentally healthy workplace, we recommend that employers put in place a comprehensive strategy to help people stay well at work, to tackle the root causes of work-related mental health problems and to support people who are experiencing a mental health problem in the workplace."
Read the full report, Employee Outlook: Focus on mental health in the workplace 2016.
We offer free resources for employers to help improve mental wellbeing and employee engagement. Visit the Workplace section of our website for more information, including tips for employers and staff.