Personnel Today
  • OHW+
  • Join
  • Resources
    • Clinical governance
    • Disability
    • Ergonomics
    • Health surveillance
    • OH employment law
    • OH service delivery
    • Research
    • Return to work and rehabilitation
    • Sickness absence management
    • Wellbeing and health promotion
  • Conditions
    • Mental health
    • Musculoskeletal disorders
    • Blood pressure
    • Cancer
    • Cardiac
    • Dementia
    • Diabetes
    • Respiratory
    • Stroke
  • CPD
  • Webinars
  • OHW Awards
  • Jobs
  • Personnel Today

Register
Log in
Personnel Today
  • OHW+
  • Join
  • Resources
    • Clinical governance
    • Disability
    • Ergonomics
    • Health surveillance
    • OH employment law
    • OH service delivery
    • Research
    • Return to work and rehabilitation
    • Sickness absence management
    • Wellbeing and health promotion
  • Conditions
    • Mental health
    • Musculoskeletal disorders
    • Blood pressure
    • Cancer
    • Cardiac
    • Dementia
    • Diabetes
    • Respiratory
    • Stroke
  • CPD
  • Webinars
  • OHW Awards
  • Jobs
  • Personnel Today

Mental health conditionsWellbeing and health promotionOHW+

‘Future of work commission’ needed to ensure work supports wellbeing

by OHW+ 5 Oct 2021
by OHW+ 5 Oct 2021

The Scottish and UK governments should establish a ‘future of work commission’ to ensure that working practices support wellbeing as we emerge from the pandemic, a charity has said.

The Mental Health Foundation in Scotland said that a commission comprising public and private sector employers, employees, government representatives and mental health groups should be formed to explore the benefits of shorter working hours among other measures the foundation believes could boost employees’ wellbeing.

Senior policy manager Toni Giugliano told the BBC: “Poverty, job insecurity and under-employment are among the root causes of poor mental health. We need to do all we can to ensure that no person in Scotland finds themselves at further risk due to the pandemic.

“Establishing a more visible and vocal Commission for the Future of Work will confirm the Scottish government’s commitment to safeguarding the wellbeing of workers across Scotland in the post-pandemic years and beyond.

“It will enable us to bring more representatives and organisations from across public and private sectors, including workers, together to inform and drive the policy decisions that will reset our working lives in a positive way that supports both good mental health and economic productivity.”

Mental health

Nine in 10 GPs report rise in work-related mental health concerns

Hybrid working: managing loneliness and isolation

Third of firms say mental health support has improved

The pandemic has fuelled mental health worries. During the first lockdown many workers experienced insomnia, anxiety and depression, while a Cigna Europe survey found 12% had experienced “unmanageable” stress.

Giugliano added that the Scottish government had already taken some positive steps to improve employees’ wellbeing with the creation of the Mental Health and Employment working groups. The country also has a devolved employment support service, Fair Start Scotland.

The Scottish government has a £120m Mental Health Recovery and Renewal Fund, which it claims is its single largest investment in mental health in the history of devolution.

Melanie Simms, professor of work and employment at the University of Glasgow, said a commission was “a very interesting proposal”.

“It’s undoubtedly the case that many people have experienced challenges to their mental health during the pandemic and associated restrictions,” she said.

“Issues including job insecurity, health and safety, furlough and similar have all taken their toll on many people’s mental health.”

Avatar
OHW+

Occupational Health & Wellbeing Plus is the new digital home for OH and wellbeing professionals, featuring the archives of the former Occupational Health & Wellbeing magazine. Subscribe now

previous post
Lewis Hamilton launches scheme to boost black STEM teachers
next post
Lockdown boredom and anxiety drove increase in smoking

Leave a Comment Cancel Reply

Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment.

You may also like

Eight in 10 call centre workers feeling mental...

17 Jun 2022

Social workers ‘at breaking point’ amid soaring stress...

14 Jun 2022

NHS expanding GP-based mental health support

13 Jun 2022

Men’s Health Week 2022: What should employers do?

13 Jun 2022

Campaign to target construction sector mental ill health

9 Jun 2022

Signs of severe eating disorders often missed, warns...

23 May 2022

Workers feeing increasingly anxious, burnt out and fearful...

13 May 2022

Three-quarters not meeting weekly exercise target

11 May 2022

Mental health still topping the concerns for employers

9 May 2022

Occupational health must help ‘de-risk’ requests for addiction...

6 May 2022

  • NSPCC revamps its learning strategy with child wellbeing at its heart PROMOTED | The NSPCC’s mission is to prevent abuse and neglect...Read more
  • Diversity versus inclusion: Why the difference matters PROMOTED | It’s possible for an environment to be diverse, but not inclusive...Read more
  • Five steps for organisations across the globe to become more skills-driven PROMOTED | The shift in the world of work has been felt across the globe...Read more
  • The future of workforce development PROMOTED | Northumbria University and partners share insight...Read more
  • Strathclyde Business School expands its Degree Apprenticeship offer in England PROMOTED | The University of Strathclyde is expanding its programmes...Read more
  • The Search for Talent: Six Major Employer Pitfalls PROMOTED | The Great Resignation continues unabated...Read more
  • Navigating the widening “Skills Confidence Gap” in 2022, and beyond PROMOTED | Cornerstone OnDemand conducted a global study...Read more
  • Apprenticeships are the solution to your recruitment problems PROMOTED | Apprenticeships have the pulling power...Read more

PERSONNEL TODAY

About us
Contact us
Browse all HR topics
Email newsletters
Content feeds
Cookies policy
Privacy policy
Terms and conditions

JOBS

Personnel Today Jobs
Post a job
Why advertise with us?

EVENTS & PRODUCTS

The Personnel Today Awards
The RAD Awards
Employee Benefits
Forum for Expatriate Management
OHW+
Whatmedia

ADVERTISING & PR

Advertising opportunities
Features list 2022

  • Facebook
  • Twitter
  • Instagram
  • Linkedin


© 2011 - 2022 DVV Media International Ltd

Personnel Today
  • OHW+
  • Join
  • Resources
    • Clinical governance
    • Disability
    • Ergonomics
    • Health surveillance
    • OH employment law
    • OH service delivery
    • Research
    • Return to work and rehabilitation
    • Sickness absence management
    • Wellbeing and health promotion
  • Conditions
    • Mental health
    • Musculoskeletal disorders
    • Blood pressure
    • Cancer
    • Cardiac
    • Dementia
    • Diabetes
    • Respiratory
    • Stroke
  • CPD
  • Webinars
  • OHW Awards
  • Jobs
  • Personnel Today