The Office of National Statistics has released a report showing the devastating results of poor mental health at work The Workers Union can reveal.

COVENTRY, UNITED KINGDOM, October 11, 2019 /EINPresswire.com/ -- According to the ONS, 12.7 percent of all sick days are attributable to mental health conditions. The issue is compounded by feelings of shame and a fear of stigmatisation, which can lead to further isolation and a reluctance to talk about the situation.

The ONS statistics are just one of a growing number of studies that indicate that life for workers in this country can be stressful and demoralising. For example, solicitors Slater and Gordon have recently published research that shows UK plc still has a long way to go before it can claim to be a world leader in employee welfare.

The report says that the average amount of time taken off to deal with mental health illness is nearly four days; however, it also says that less than a third of workers tell their managers what they are experiencing for fear of dismissal, being made to settle for an inferior position or worries about a less than sympathetic attitude when they return to work.

The Workers Union believes that the way to promote positive mental health is to create open cultures where people feel able to share their concerns with colleagues. This might mean an informal chat with a trusted confidant or it might mean talking to management to see what can legitimately be done to help. A constructive path forward can only be found in environments that are fully prepared to adopt an ethos of understanding and tolerance. And for those people who think that ‘pulling yourself together’ is the best medicine, it’s worth remembering that mental health issues do not respect social status or position in the company hierarchy. Anyone can experience depression and anxiety at any time - wherever they work.

In a recent survey of our members, one of them told us that she was given a written warning for admitting to taking sick leave to deal with ‘stress and anxiety’. The lack of any kind of return to work plan and the apparently indifferent attitude of her employers finally led to her leaving a job she’d held for seven years.
Unfortunately, we encounter this kind of story on a regular basis. As a union, we’re saying that enough is enough and it’s time to get British business to treat this issue seriously. A quick session with the occupational health nurse and a slap on the back is not sufficient preparation for recovery, so join us and help to fight for better mental health at work.

The Workers Union
The Workers Union
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