Report identifies extent of mental health problems

Mental ill health is now the second largest cause of sickness absence in the UK, according to a new report from the Chartered Institute of Personnel and Development (CIPD) and consultants Active Health Partners.

The report, New directions in managing employee absence, revealed that only musculoskeletal disorders accounted for more days lost through sickness.

Stress, depression and anxiety were found to account for more than 50% of mental health problems. And the study estimated that workers take an average of 21 days for each period of sick leave related to mental health - with those suffering from depression taking 30 days. Nearly two in five incapacity benefit claimants now have a mental health condition, compared with one in four a decade ago.

The research drew on the real absence records of 30,000 employees working in 40 different organisations, giving a reliable picture of the issues facing workers.

The general union Unite welcomed the study and its focus on the seriousness of mental ill health. "For too long, workers suffering from these illnesses have been told to simply 'pull themselves together'," said joint general secretary Tony Woodley, adding that this approach has had a "horrific" cost in terms of the misery inflicted on workers and their families.

"We have made it clear that bosses who are responsible for physically injuring their employees at work must face severe consequences," he warned.

The study also found deficiencies in occupational health provision, a point that has also been made repeatedly by unions.

"It's up to a GP to decide whether people are suffering," said John McClean, safety officer at the GMB general union. "I am not a medical person and most managing directors are not medical people. There should be an occupational health system."