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

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

StressCareers in HRLatest NewsMental healthThe HR profession

HR staff with mental health problems keep them secret

by Helen Gilbert 21 May 2009
by Helen Gilbert 21 May 2009

HR professionals are keeping quiet about their own mental health issues because they are ashamed or fear it could hamper promotion chances, new research has shown.

Of 1,070 HR professionals surveyed57.1% said they wouldn’t be happy to disclose personal conditions such as depression within their department.

The research, commissioned by national employment charity Shaw Trust, also found that just under one third would reveal a mental health condition to their line manager and only 17.9% would be happy to discuss an issue with other colleagues.

One third felt ashamed and were worried about being treated differently, 16.7% were concerned that their employer would be unsympathetic, and the same number were worried that disclosing a mental health condition would affect their chances of promotion.

Tim Cooper, Shaw Trust managing director, said: “We know that with the right support from their employers people with mental health conditions are perfectly capable of managing a job and their condition. We therefore believe it is vital that such negative issues are tackled.”

In addition, 42.9% of HR workers felt they would receive more support at work for a physical disability rather than for a mental health disorder.

The Shaw Trust has launched a range of health and wellbeing services for employers, including:

  • diversity management
  • managing mental health
  • absence management
  • vocational rehabilitation
  • web accessibility
  • mental health awareness training.

Cooper added: “Businesses need to create an environment in which people not only feel confident enough to discuss a mental health condition with a line manager or member of the HR team, but in which they can also receive the support they need to continue making a valuable contribution.”

Avatar
Helen Gilbert

previous post
Long-term sickness absence: how fit notes will make a difference
next post
Default retirement age lined up by HR managers to aid job cuts

You may also like

NHS to end full pay for Covid-19 sick...

4 Jul 2022

Government childcare plans aim to reduce cost of...

4 Jul 2022

Whistleblowing lawyer awarded £423k by Foreign Office

4 Jul 2022

Diversity and inclusion: where does the buck stop?

4 Jul 2022

Quarter of workers feel unsupported after bereavement

1 Jul 2022

Employment law changes for 2022 and beyond: update...

1 Jul 2022

BT workers vote for strike action over pay

1 Jul 2022

Chief financial officers now more involved in HR

1 Jul 2022

Business leaders urged to prioritise wellbeing as we...

1 Jul 2022

Top 10 HR questions June 2022: Former employees

1 Jul 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

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