Prioritising workplace mental health improves performance and productivity

On average, mental health issues can affect one in four people at some point in their lives, so recognising the risks and caring for those who need support is an essential part of running any successful business.

Better employers promote good mental health and provide ongoing support for any workers experiencing mental ill health, including anxiety or depression.

The benefits of supporting workplace mental health

Anyone who works has the right to a safe and healthy environment at their workplace, and the benefits of protecting workers’ mental health are now well documented.

Research has proven ‘decent’ work supports good mental health.

It provides a livelihood, a sense of purpose and achievement, plus the chance to build positive relationships and feel included in society.

According to the World Health Organisation, safe and healthy working environments are a fundamental right and are more likely to reduce tension and conflicts, and improve staff retention, work performance and productivity.

The value added to the economy by people who are at work and have or have had mental health problems is as high as £225 billion per year, which represents 12.1% of the UK’s total GDP.

WHO also highlights the converse effects – when peoples’ mental health suffers at work, it can limit opportunities, affect their ability to enjoy their job, affect performance and even undermine attendance.

Knowing the risks to workplace mental health

The first step to ensuring your staff are protected is knowing the risks.

There are a number of risks that can impact workers’ mental health, below are just some of the more common examples:

  • Lacking the proper skills, or being unclear of the role
  • Understaffing (increased workloads)
  • Unsocial, or inflexible hours, with conflicting work/home demands
  • No control over workload
  • Poor, or unsafe physical working conditions;
  • A workplace culture enabling negative behaviours
  • A lack of support
  • Violence, harassment, discrimination or exclusion
  • Feeling unclear of the role
  • Inadequate pay and job insecurity

What action can employers take to assist workers and improve awareness?

Any organisation responsible for the health and safety of their workers, can help to improve mental health in their workplace.

Positive actions such as; actively supporting workers with mental health conditions (to allow them to thrive), protecting and promoting mental health, and preventing adverse mental health conditions by avoiding the risks (mentioned above).

Key to successfully addressing workplace mental health is involving workers, representatives and those with lived experience, in meaningful ways to aid prevention of adverse outcomes and properly support those who need assistance.

Workers have the right to be protected from discrimination

Many people with mental health problems meet the definition of disability in the Equality Act (2010) in England, Scotland and Wales and the Disability Discrimination Act (1995, as amended) in Northern Ireland.

Which means people with mental health problems are protected from discrimination and harassment and are entitled to reasonable adjustments to adapt their job or work.

Better mental health is better for business

Being aware of workplace mental health issues and having strategies in place to properly support your staff, is beneficial to all workers, but the other clear benefit is that this approach also makes good business sense.

From keeping employees happy, to boosting productivity; mental health support helps foster a more positive working environment, which attracts and keeps top talent.

To help make sure your business isn’t missing any opportunities to support your workplace mental health initiatives or for more information, call us on 020 7937 6224 or complete our short enquiry form.

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