Background
Tackling a significant challenge that affects us all
In the National Service Framework (NSF) for Mental Health under Standard One, a duty was placed on Health and Social Care organisations to develop a strategy for the employment of people experiencing mental distress in their workforce. However, it was recognised that not only did Health and Social Care organisations require support to develop an effective strategy, so too did employers in the private sector, particularly in small and medium sized enterprises.
Research indicates that less than 40% of employers would consider employing someone with a mental health problem. [1] Such discriminatory attitudes prevent staff disclosing or discussing mental health issues and so contribute to a negative workplace culture.
Workplaces that are not mentally healthy are likely to suffer from higher rates of poor performance, staff turnover and sickness absence - people affected by poor mental health caused by, or made worse by work, may take an on average almost six weeks sick leave over a 12 month period. There is therefore a pressing health and business case for promoting mental well-being at work.
Nationally, 40% of the 2.68 million people currently claiming incapacity benefit have a mental health condition. [2] This number is reflected locally and represents an ever increasing pressure on local industry and the benefits service. With appropriate support, employers in Stoke-on-Trent and Staffordshire can gain the confidence to recruit and retain staff with experience of mental ill health, and in so doing bring valuable expertise and diversity to their workforce, whilst also contributing to social inclusion.
References
[1] C Manning and PD White, Attitudes of employers to the mentally ill, Psychiatric Bulletin, 19 (1995): 541-543
[2] Depratment of Work and Pensions Labour Market Survey August 2006
Latest News
How's Your Business Feeling Celebration Event
12/03/2012Employers in Staffordshire have been able to tackle workplace stress and mental health issues head on thanks to a ground breaking scheme delivered by Stoke based charity The Beth Johnson Foundation. Stress, depression and anxiety are estimated to be the cause of more working days lost than any other work-related illness. Sick pay reduces profits. Covering absent workers adds more pressure whilst the loss of valued and talented people can be extremely costly to any organisation. The ‘How’s Your Business Feeling’ resource was developed by NHS Stoke on Trent and Staffordshire County Council and delivered by the Beth Johnson Foundation. 30 businesses in Staffordshire have benefitted via direct support, to implement a mental health policy aimed at reducing workplace stress and improving the overall mental well-being of the workforce. Burton and South Derbyshire College were one of the organisations to benefit. Their vice-principal John Beaty commented “the How's Your Business Feeling approach has been excellent for Burton and South Derbyshire College. The support from the Beth Johnson Foundation really helps focus attention to your employee specific policies and procedures relating to mental health. We are now using the tools to sharpen our processes and ensure we deliver an open and inclusive organisation for all”. Steffy Timbrell from Breathe City Church in Stoke felt that the resource had helped to add structure to their employee policies, commenting:- How's Your Business Feeling has been a massive eye opener to us as an employer at Breathe City Church. We discovered that we actually had many things already in place but it was apparent that these were not documented for all staff and future employees to see and access. We have now created a full mental health policy as part of the staff handbook which now explains why we holistically look at a person's wellbeing as well as their performance during staff reviews and line management meetings. This is a great asset to us and we look forward to outworking this further as our staff team grows. Dr Keith Tattum runs Baddeley Green Surgery who also benefitted. “The “How’s your Business Feeling” initiative has provided us with a useful tool to examine our practice structure and culture. It has helped us to recognise factors which might jeopardise good mental health. We now feel enabled to tackle these problems with confidence in the very earliest stages.” Participants in the scheme were presented with their certificates at a special celebration event at North Staffordshire Chamber of Commerce who also took part in the scheme. Ends For further details contact June Brammar at Beth Johnson Foundation on 01782 844036, junebrammar@bjf.org.uk