How employers can better support people with mental health issues

Abstract

Purpose

Mental health is a growing concern amongst UK employers, yet eight in ten employers currently have no mental health policy. This paper aims to highlight why employers should implement such a policy and gives advice on implementing an effective well-being policy.

Design/methodology/approach

Punter Southall Health and Protection recently released “Employee Wellbeing Research 2018”, carried out in association with Reward & Employee Benefits Association. This research report looks at the current trends in workplace well-being.

Findings

The Employee Wellbeing Research 2018 report revealed that 73 per cent of respondents said high pressure working environments are now the biggest threat to well-being and are worried about the negative impact on their employees. But one striking issue the research revealed is that programmes are not being driven by the Board. Less than one in ten (8 per cent) said that their Board actively drives the organisation’s well-being agenda and one in 20 (5 per cent) reported that their Board has little or no interest in employee well-being.

Originality/value

This paper is aimed at HR professionals, senior management, CEOs and board members.

Citation

Dean, J. (2018), "How employers can better support people with mental health issues", Strategic HR Review, Vol. 17 No. 4, pp. 204-208. https://doi.org/10.1108/SHR-05-2018-0041