Mental health in the workplace

A report by Deloitte and Mind revealed that UK employers are facing costs of up to £45 billion a year due to poor mental health of their employees. Surprisingly, this is mostly due to presenteeism, where employees come to work despite struggling with their mental health, which costs up to £29 billion a year in lost productivity. The factors contributing to poor mental health, and in particular presenteeism, include workplace pressures, such as targets.  The research revealed more openness and a growth in the support employees are offered for mental health compared to research conducted in 2016.

Currently, a mental health problem can qualify as a disability under the Equality Act if it has a substantial adverse effect on your ability to carry out normal day-to-day activities or if it has lasted, or is expected to last, 12 months or more, or recur. The Equality Act gives disabled employees the right to not be discriminated against in work, and a right to reasonable adjustments if they need them.

To read more about managing ill health in the workplace, please click here.