Data and research
While they may have some policies in place, many employers fall short at understanding and tackling mental health at work. This is concerning, especially given employers’ duty of care to staff and employee rights in relation to mental health.
We offer employers clear training on how to limit workplace absence and boost wellbeing through proactive and empathetic management.
AEL's perspective
The report showed a rise in the number of employers with an awareness of mental health issues and how they affect the workforce (up from 31% in 2016 to 51% this year).Hopefully, this indicates the start of a more open culture around the traditionally stigmatised issue of mental health struggles. Concerningly, the report also showed an increase in common mental health conditions as a cause of absence from work. More respondents this year reported employees experiencing mental health conditions such as anxiety and depression in the last 12 months (55% this year, up from 41% in 2016).
Around half of respondents said their organisation encouraged openness about mental health, was effective at supporting people with mental ill-health and actively promoted mental wellbeing. Less than a third, however, thought senior leaders’ action or behaviour demonstrated any real consideration for mental wellbeing. Respondents were more likely to disagree than agree that managers were confident and competent at identifying and supporting employees with mental health issues.
