Mental health conditions top list of reasons for absence from work
Employee Management Articles
Submit Articles Back to Articles
Posted on 05/09/2013
Initial findings from the CBI/Pfizer Absence and Workplace
Health Survey show that mental health conditions have become the single
most widespread cause of long-term absence from work. More
than half of employers involved in the survey cited non-work related
stress, anxiety and depression as a cause of long-term absence for
non-manual workers, while some 42% attributed the same cause to long
term absence among manual workers.
It is also the third most common cause of short-term absence,
according to 46% of employers of non-manual staff and 31% of employers
of manual workers.
Mental illness related to work is the ninth most common cause
of long-term absence overall, and the eleventh most common cause of
short-term absence. Neil Carberry, CBI Director for Employment
and Skills, said: �Businesses are increasingly aware progress
on workplace safety has to go hand-in-hand with similar progress on
health. These findings show mental health issues are a major
cause of absence, so it�s no surprise that nine out of ten businesses
are taking positive action to manage mental illness. We need
to make sure the health service � through the fit note and new
occupational health supports firms in helping staff back into work.�
The survey involved HR practitioners and managers in 153
organisations employing 850,000 people across the UK�s public and
private sectors. It found that:
- 92% of organisations have stress and anxiety management
policies in place
- In 68% of larger businesses these are formal policies,
where 30% take an informal approach
- 50% of smaller firms take an informal approach to managing
mental health, with 33% taking a formal one
- The most widely-used practices across all organisations to
help support employees are flexible working (82%), counselling (79%)
and occupational health support (78%)
- Meanwhile half of all the employers surveyed conduct
regular risk assessments for stress or other workplace causes of mental
health problems.
About the Author
Lawson-West specialise in commercial, business and employment law. Our team
of dedicated commercial solicitors can help with buying or selling a business,
business law and disputes, landlord and tenant issues and commercial property.
Our expert employment team can offer practical advice and guidance on all
aspects of employment law including redundancy, compromise agreements and
dismissal procedures. Visit
www.lawson-west.co.uk for more information.
Follow us @Scopulus_News
Article Published/Sorted/Amended on Scopulus 2013-09-13 09:07:16 in Employee Articles
