• Mental health is the second biggest reason for absence in the UK, and, according to a new report.
• The amount it’s costing businesses has increased by 10 percent over the past four years.
• Last month a report from the CIPD found that more than three people in ten (31 percent) have experienced mental health problems while in employment.

The report by FirstCare highlights that in 2012 UK businesses lost an average of £854 per employee, but this has now risen to £942. This worrying trend is echoed by the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE)[ii] who last year highlighted that workplace health is a ‘significant public health issue’. Last month a report from the CIPD[iii] found that more than three people in ten (31 percent) have experienced mental health problems while in employment. This figure is higher for female employees at 36 percent and 46 percent in respect of people working in the voluntary sector. 

Adrian Lewis, Director at Activ Absence says companies need to use better systems to proactively spot mental health issues and enable early interventions to support employees.

Adrian Lewis comments: “Sickness absence is a growing problem in the UK and its costing the economy a huge amount of money each year. Stress and mental health problems are two of the biggest causes, however, the stigma attached to these illnesses can prevent employees talking about them. “Fear of what their boss or colleagues might think, along with the fear of losing their job if people find out can mean that employees suffer in silence for a long time until they get to breaking point. 

“Having technology in place to track absence rates and record reasons for absence can help HR spot early signs of mental health related issues and have conversations with employees to try to get to the root of their problems and support them. This kind of intervention can help prevent long term employee absences. Having accurate data about employee absence gives HR and occupational health insight into the health and mental wellbeing of their workforce. It will enable them to spot patterns and trends of absence, such as those who always taking a Monday off, and track and record the incidences and reasons behind absence.” 

“Employers have a duty of care to their employees and identifying someone who may be struggling with mental health problems can allow them to intervene at a much earlier stage and support them. This is not only good for the company’s bottom line and preventing long-term sickness but also for staff retention and engagement.”

[i] https://www.thehrdirector.com/business-news/health-and-wellbeing/mental-health-absence-costs-continues-to-go-up/

[ii] https://www.nice.org.uk/news/article/healthy-workplaces-make-happy-and-effective-employees

[iii] https://www.cipd.co.uk/hr-resources/survey-reports/employee-outlook-focus-mental-health-workplace.aspx