Building mentally healthier workplaces

By Wellbeing4business

13 Jul 2021

what-can-we-learn-from-the-covid-19-response.png

A brief look back in history demonstrates a simple realisation – with all the money spent on stress awareness and management nothing has really changed.

2000 –The Health and Safety Commission [HSC] together with the Department of the Environment, Transport and the Regions [DETR] launched the Revitalising Health and Safety initiative, the aim of which was to reduce accidents, injuries and ill-health in the workplace by 2010. Identifying stress as one of its eight priority programmes in this initiative, the Health and Safety Executive [HSE] was set the following targets:

A reduction of 20% in the incidence of work-related stress by 2010 A reduction of 30% in the number of working days lost from work-related stress by 2010

2017/18 – HSE reported that 15.4 million working days were lost to work-related stress, depression or anxiety in 2017/18 (Labour Force Survey) with an average of 25.8 days lost per case. In total, 57 percent of all working days lost to ill health were due to stress and anxiety.. Additionally, over 500,000 people in the UK feel ill as a result of their level of work-related stress.

The number of people in the UK experiencing mental ill health has increased significantly over the past 18 years.

The S word (stress) has always been a problem

Why have we not reduced the “S” number as effectively as the “R” number? What can we learn from COVID-19?

With COVID-19 we focused on supporting the ones who displayed symptoms 

We didn’t initially look at the sources of infection. As a result, infection rates continued to rise. In managing stress we have placed too much emphasis on helping those with symptoms. We are not disputing the value of CBT, counseling, or EAP’s but there needs to be an increased focus on proactive/preventative stress management within the workplace.

"You cannot clean a fish, place it back in a dirty pond and expect it to stay clean".

COVID-19 introduced track and trace to reduce cross-infection

In stress management, this is the equivalent of stress risk profiling. Businesses need to track the sources of pressure and build a strategy around managing risk.

COVID-19 had a strategy 

The 2m rule. About 40% of all businesses have a wellbeing-related strategy. Businesses need a clear Stress Management Strategy consisting of a Primary, Secondary, and Tertiary level of intervention.

COVID-19 maximised guidance from experts and focused highly on collaboration.

In managing stress, businesses need to learn from experts and ensure managers, HR, OH and EAPs collaborate.

COVID-19 focuses now on prevention

Face masks as an example. We also know that those at higher risk are those who have underlying issues. In managing stress, we need to focus on building stress resilience and challenging people to make health improvements.

How should workplace mental health change post-COVID-19?

Follow the COVID-19 examples.

A good friend and expert wrote a book on this subject in 1994 before sadly passing away. It is a must-read for anyone serious about work-related stress – Managing Pressure for Peak Performance: The Positive Approach to Stress Paperback – 30 July 1994 -by Stephen Williams

Five questions to consider:

How do you know if an employee’s mental health is an issue? How confident are you that managers are equipped to manage stress-related issues moving forwards? What impact will work-related stress have on your business – can you bounce back carrying a huge weight? How will you measure if the interventions you deploy are having an effect? What is the potential impact of doing nothing?

Latest news

1

Chiptech announces major innovation initiative at high-profile reception with the New Zealand Prime Minister in London. The Rt Hon Jonathan Reynolds, the Rt Hon Christopher Luxon and the Rt Hon Steve Reed (L-R Front Row) David Hammond, and Daniel Knowles

Chiptech announces major innovation initiative at high-profile reception with the New Zealand Prime Minister in London.

30 Apr 2025

2

Northstone secures full planning permission for 50 new homes in Edenfield Edenfield housing development

Northstone secures full planning permission for 50 new homes in Edenfield

29 Apr 2025

3

Ring Stones Maintenance and Construction celebrates completion of Dovestone Gardens Dovestone Gardens launch

Ring Stones Maintenance and Construction celebrates completion of Dovestone Gardens

29 Apr 2025

4

PHX Training welcomes new business leader to drive learner success Louise Kirby

PHX Training welcomes new business leader to drive learner success

29 Apr 2025

5

Lidl to invest half a billion pounds in its expansion as it eyes sites in Lancashire Lidl

Lidl to invest half a billion pounds in its expansion as it eyes sites in Lancashire

29 Apr 2025

Pc Prestonmacan Gif980x120 March
Background image for hub sign up block

LBV Hub

Leverage Lancashire Business View platforms

Post your news
Post your events
Post your offers
Build your network
Improve your SEO
Gain coverage in the magazine
Sign-up
Events
LBV122 May/June Launch Event
121 Lancashire Business View Magazine Launch
Networking
21 May 2025

LBV122 May/June Launch Event

Lancaster and Morecambe College, Lancaster, LA1 2TY

08:30 - 10:30

Sub36 Networking
Networking
11 Jun 2025

Sub36 Networking

British Jewellery School, Scorton, PR3 1BA

15:00 - 17:00

Lancashire Net Zero Carbon Conference
Net Zero Carbon Social 1200px 2
Networking
18 Jun 2025

Lancashire Net Zero Carbon Conference

Crow Wood Hotel & Spa Resort, Burnley, BB12 0RT

08:30 - 13:00

Lancashire Built Environment Conference 2025
BEC 315 X 315 Px
Networking
25 Sep 2025

Lancashire Built Environment Conference 2025

Blackpool Football Club, Blackpool, FY1 6HX

08:30 - 13:00

CMI Level 5 Management and Leadership Course
UCLanAerialCampus.jpg.jpg
LBV Hub Seminars
21 Feb 2025 - 21 Feb 2026

CMI Level 5 Management and Leadership Course

Preston Campus, Preston , PR1 2HE

09:00 - 17:00

CMI Level 5 Project Management Course
UCLanAerialCampus.jpg.jpg
LBV Hub Seminars
21 Feb 2025 - 21 Feb 2026

CMI Level 5 Project Management Course

Preston Campus, Preston, PR1 2HE

08:00 - 17:00

RISE - The Academy for Female Leaders and Managers
WENDY BOWERS RISE Illustrstion copy.jpg.jpg
LBV Hub Seminars
02 Apr 2025 - 08 Oct 2025

RISE - The Academy for Female Leaders and Managers

East Lancashire Chamber of Commerce, Clayton le Moors, BB5 5JR

09:00 - 15:30

Planning for the future + navigating Inheritance Tax changes
Planning for the future + navigating Inheritance Tax changes for website.png.png
LBV Hub Seminars
01 May 2025 - 01 May 2025

Planning for the future + navigating Inheritance Tax changes

Stanley House Hotel, Mellor, Blackburn, BB2 7NP, Blackburn, BB2 7NP

08:00 - 10:30

A night at the races
1.png.png
LBV Hub Dinners / Balls
02 May 2025 - 02 May 2025

A night at the races

Morecambe FC, Morecambe, LA4 4TB

19:00 - 23:59

Advantage: AI – A Workshop for Business Leaders – May 2
EV-land-2025-05B.png.png
LBV Hub Seminars
02 May 2025 - 02 May 2025

Advantage: AI – A Workshop for Business Leaders – May 2

Door4 Office, Burnley Wharf, Manchester Road, Burnley, BB11 1JG

09:00 - 11:00

Innovating business solutions through PhD Partnerships
30478 Skills Bootcamp open day setting.jpg.jpg
LBV Hub Networking
07 May 2025 - 07 May 2025

Innovating business solutions through PhD Partnerships

University of Central Lancashire, Preston , PR1 2HE

14:30 - 15:30

Celebrating 50 years of KTP
UCLanAerialCampus.jpg.jpg
LBV Hub Networking
07 May 2025 - 07 May 2025

Celebrating 50 years of KTP

University of Central Lancashire , Preston, PR1 2HE

16:00 - 18:00

Advertise with us

Reaching 50,000 members, our print, digital and event platforms offer a fantastic way to raise your business profile and help you grow.

Find out more Lbv121 Online Graphic
Subscribe now

Weekly news bulletin