stress and mental health in the workplace david lyon, centre for mental health
TRANSCRIPT
Stress and Mental Health in the Workplace
David Lyon, Centre for Mental Health
Stress and Mental Health in the WorkplaceStressors:
Within the workplaceOutside the workplace
Stress as an indicator of an underlying mental health condition
Workplace stress
Not a medical condition – and not necessarily workplace-causedBut its effects in the workplace are real – and can aggravate underlying medical conditions
Mental Health conditions - Prevalence
One in four at some point in their lifetimeOne in six in the workplace at any one timeOf which:
Only one in four will seek treatment76% of line managers say they have managed at least one person who they knew had a mental health condition (Employers Forum on Disability, 2008 Great Places to Work survey)
What do we mean by mental ill health?
Variety of conditionsCommon: depression, anxiety, phobiasLess common: bipolar disorder, schizophreniaMedical interventions for these range from talking therapies to medicationsMajority of conditions can be managed safely within the workplace
CIPD survey findingspublished Oct 2011
Stress is the most common cause of long-term sickness absence for both manual and non-manual employees.Employers planning to make redundancies in the next six months are significantly more likely to report an increase in mental health problems among their staff (51% compared with 32% who are not planning redundancies).For manual workers, stress is now level with acute medical conditions and has overtaken musculoskeletal problems to become the top cause of long-term absence. While among non-manual staff, stress has moved ahead of acute medical conditions.
Legal considerations
Equalities Act 2010Ongoing Mental Health conditions now specifically identified as a disabilityObligation on employer to make ‘reasonable adjustments’What might these adjustments be?What is ‘reasonable’?
Actually, the business imperative is greater...
Costs
Sickness absencePresenteeismStaff turnover
Total cost to UK economy - £26bn (2007)
The Business Case
Total cost to a company for each person employed = £1,035 / year
£335
£605
£95
sickness absence
reduced productivity at work
staff turnover
Source: Centre for Mental Health, 2007
Call to action
PoliciesWorkplace set-up, physical and culturalRecognition of work as a protective factorEmployee Assistance ProgrammesTraining
BITC Workwell Model
Role of the workplace
Line managers should be supported to understand that the health and wellbeing of employees is their responsibility, and should be willing to take action when health and well-being are at risk” Dame Carol Black
Working for a Healthier Tomorrow (2008),p59;
“All staff need information on mental health conditions, how to identify early signs and symptoms and most importantly training to enable them to have the confidence to approach someone who is showing signs of distress and signpost them to appropriate help” Dr Steve Boorman
NHS Health and Wellbeing (July, 2009), p85.
Line Manager Training
an evidence-based training programme to build the confidence and competence of line managers to identify and support staff experiencing mental distress in the workplace
