Acting on mental health also cuts business costs

Employers have a legal responsibility to assess and act on mental health risks and by doing so can improve their bottom line, says the HSE.

Marking International Mental Health Day on 10 October, the regulator pointed to research by the Deloitte consultancy giant showing that UK bosses will receive an average return of £5 for every £1 they spend on mental health. The 2020 Deloitte survey also found the total annual cost of poor mental health to employers has increased by 25% since 2019, costing UK employers up to £56 billion a year.

Meanwhile, the IOSH health and safety professionals’ body urged businesses to use new WHO world health organisation guidelines for managing mental health risks at work as part of a “rounded approach to protecting workers”.

The new WHO guidelines recommend action to tackle risks including heavy workloads and, for the first time, recommend manager training to build capacity to prevent stressful work environments and support workers.

A new WHO factsheet makes clear that decent work is good for mental health, while poor working environments, including discrimination and inequality, excessive workloads, low job control and job insecurity pose a risk to mental health. A joint WHO and ILO international labour organisation policy brief reinforces the guidelines by outlining practical strategies.