Life-long learning and continuing professional development (CPD) are the processes by which professionals, such as nurses, develop and improve their practice.
There are many ways to address your CPD: formally, by attending courses, study days and workshops; or informally, through private study and reflection.
Reading articles in professional journals is a good way of keeping up to date with what is going on in the field of practice, but reflecting on what you have learned from the articles is not always easy.
These questions are designed to help you identify what you have learned from studying the article. They will also help you to clarify what you can apply in practice, what you did not understand, and what you need to explore further.
1 Who designs and leads Mindful Employer?
a) Health and Safety Executive (HSE)
b) NHS
c) Employers
d) Counsellors
2 If an employee comes to work while they are still unwell, what is this called?
a) Absenteeism
b) Presenteeism
c) Malingering
d) Attendancism
3 Which government body has produced guidance for employers on mental health at work?
a) NHS
b) HSE
c) Acas
d) National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence
4 Which of the following is NOT a benefit to employers of retaining a member of staff during a period of mental ill health?
a) It is cheaper than recruitment
b) The employer has already invested time and support
c) The employee is experienced and valued
d) It is more costly than recruiting a new person
5 When does Mindful Employer recommend OH should become involved with people absent with mental health problems?
a) At week one or before absence occurs
b) At week two
c) After one month’s absence
d) After six weeks’ absence
6 What is ‘the charter’?
a) A set of standards
b) A self-assessment
c) A set of aspirations
d) A review
7 What is the biggest need identified by employers?
a) More doctors and nurses
b) More counsellors
c) More first-aiders
d) More mental health awareness training for line managers
8 What is the estimated number of employers that regularly receive information from Mindful Employer?
a) 250
b) 2,500
c) 500
d) 5,000
9 What has been central to the success of Mindful Employer?
a) Partnership-building
b) Government support
c) Good communications
d) Regular meetings
10 What resource has been really useful in increasing awareness of mental health at work?
a) Shift Employers Resource
b) Shift Line Manager Resource
c) Line Manager Resource
d) Shift Employees Resource
Click here for the answers.
Online resources
This is an enhanced web version of Shift’s Line Managers’ Resource. It offers line managers a practical guide to managing and supporting people with mental health problems in the workplace.
Mindful Employer is the work of a voluntary, informal network of employers and support organisations and is open to any employer in the UK, whether small, medium or large, private, public or voluntary sector.
This link should take you directly to the Nice guidance for employers on promoting mental wellbeing through productive and healthy working conditions.
This URL takes you directly to the mental health and employment strategy from the government’s ‘Working for Health’ initiative.
Acas runs training events to help managers deal with people management issues. Visit this website for more information. Acas also runs free online courses for managers – search for e-learning on its website. It also has an advisory booklet for front-line managers which can be downloaded. It is a practical guide aimed at helping senior managers get the best out of their front-line managers.
Sainsbury Centre for Mental Health
The Sainsbury Centre for Mental Health works to improve the quality of life for people with mental health problems. It carries out research, policy work and analysis to improve practice and influence policy in mental health as well as public services. Its priorities include mental health issues in employment.
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