Mental health
Work can have a significant impact on people’s mental health. Employers can help to foster a mentally healthy workplace, for example by taking action to prevent and manage stress and training line managers on mental wellbeing.
Older workers wait 54 days before seeking mental health advice
Despite two-thirds of over-55s experiencing symptoms of mental ill health, workers in this age group are most likely to delay...
Understaffing increases work-related stress, survey finds
Colleagues, especially a lack of them or if they’re not pulling their weight, are the biggest causes of work-related stress,...
Majority of absence and presenteeism could be addressed by ‘targeted’ employer support
Three-quarters of ill health-related presenteeism and absence in 2018 came from factors that employers could have influenced or addressed, according...
Organisations should improve support for bereaved staff, research suggests
Bereaved employees could struggle to cope with stressful and demanding work after they return to work if appropriate support is...
Hot desking affects wellbeing for eight in 10 office workers
Eight in 10 office workers claim workplace seating arrangements – including hot desking – have a negative effect on their...
Two in five men avoid talking about mental health worries
The charity Samaritans has launched a campaign to encourage men to seek help if they have a mental health worry...
Managers feel ill-equipped to support staff mental health
Six in 10 managers are not receiving enough help from their organisation to support the mental wellbeing of their staff,...
Noisy offices affect wellbeing for four in 10 staff
Almost half (44%) of office workers say that noisy working conditions have a negative effect on their wellbeing, significantly affecting...
Vodafone offers staff who experience domestic abuse additional leave
Vodafone Group is to offer all staff who experience domestic abuse 10 days’ additional paid “safe leave”, after it found...
Occupational health research round-up: March 2019
This month's research includes studies on workplace positivity schemes and the quality of Employee Assistance Programmes.
Employers lack formal strategies for common health risks, report finds
Too few employers have strategies in place to manage some of the most common staff health concerns, including mental ill...
NHS worker who reported suicidal thoughts was unfairly dismissed
An NHS ambulance technician who was threatened with legal action after he reported feeling suicidal was unfairly dismissed, a tribunal...
‘Proactive’ OH service needed to improve NHS staff wellbeing
More support and a “proactive” occupational health service is needed to help improve the mental health and wellbeing of the...
Mental health first aid guide encourages employers to set boundaries
Training provider Mental Health First Aid England has produced guidance to help employers introduce mental health first aiders into their...
How to make home working a success
When Dolly Parton sang about working 9 to 5 in 1980, the song reflected most employees’ regular office hours. Brian Hall looks at how things have changed in the past 40 years and asks if working from home always works?
