BOSSES have been ordered to provide better conditions for workers – or it will cost them billions a year.
Ministers are urging employers to ensure their staff’s mental health is taken as seriously as their physical health.
Alamy Live News
Line managers are being asked to devise mental health awareness programmes as 300,000 people leave their jobs each year with the illness.
Health Secretary Matt Hancock and Welfare Secretary Amber Rudd are today telling business to break down the stigma at work.
The move comes at the beginning of Mental Health Awareness Week as more employers are being asked to take part.
A study found the cost to business of poor mental health could be as high as £42 billion – the total spend for the army, navy and air force.
The cost to government is around £25 billion through higher benefit spending.
Mental health provision is likely to receive an extra £2.3 billion a year in real terms by 2023/24.
Every business in this country has a duty to ensure employees feel comfortable opening up about their mental health, knowing they’ll be treated properly
Amber Rudd
Health Secretary Matt Hancock said: “Sadly many people at work are still suffering in silence, for fear of judgement or rebuke from their boss if they admit they are struggling. This has got to change.
“It is not acceptable for an employer to react with scepticism or a lack of sympathy when presented with an employee suffering from a physical ailment – yet somehow when it comes to mental illness, this can still happen
Secretary of State for Work and Pensions Amber Rudd said: “Every business in this country has a duty to ensure employees feel comfortable opening up about their mental health, knowing they’ll be treated properly.”
Penny Mordaunt will ensure officials keep in touch with service personnel in their transition to civilian life.
The new Defence Secretary says £9 million will be used to fund mental health and wellbeing activities enabling peer to peer support.
A study will also be funded into the risk factors of ex-service personnel who take their own their own lives.
She said: “Veteran led organisations often provide the most valued and effective support, but don’t have massive “backroom” operations needed to research or make applications.
“We will provide support so they can access this funding, and help to demonstrate the difference their work is making to the wellbeing of those who have serviced.”
