Supporting good health in the workplace

Already a hot topic, the focus on mental health and wellbeing in the workplace was ratcheted up several levels by the publication of Thriving at Work – the now famous Stevenson/Farmer report.

By Nick Howarth, employee benefits consultant, Mattioli Woods

The government sponsored review reports that:

The annual cost to UK employers is about £42bn About 300,000 people with long-term mental health problems lose their jobs each year About 15% of people at work have symptoms of an existing mental health condition As part of the review, evaluations of workplace interventions by Deloitte show a return to business of between £1.50 and £9 for every £1 invested in mental health.

The report hasn’t taken health and wellbeing benefit providers by surprise as for some time now there has been increased focus on mental health issues: Development of financial education programmes to reduce employees’ financial worries Mental health “first aid” training for employees Access to helplines and counselling services via Employee Assistance Programmes and Health Cash Plans “Virtual GP” providing direct access to GP services Access to early intervention/triage without GP referral under Private Medical Insurance The above services can assist employers in supporting staff with their mental health and wellbeing. Successful businesses should recognise the link between employee wellbeing and bottom-line development, with employee wellbeing being a key ingredient in any business development plan. At Mattioli Woods, we can assist employers in implementing the best employee benefit solutions.