HR Industry News

Action needed on mental ill health says CIPD

— 06 June 2007 —

Stress, depression and anxiety are amongst the most common reasons for workers taking time off according to new research.

A study of the absence records of 30,000 employees by the Chartered Institute of Personnel and Development (CIPD) and Active Health Partners revealed that mental ill health is the second largest cause of sickness absence in the UK.

The leading cause of sickness absence is musculoskeletal conditions but it is the statistics on mental ill health that are most startling according to the CIPD.

EAPs, outsourced absence management services, employee health risk assessments and so forth do provide a preventative potential for employers before cases are referred to Occupational Health. All are proven to provide positive ROI so the only real challenge is to get employers to invest to save in the first place.

Paul Avis, Corporate Development Manager, Ceridian

Government figures show there has been a big increase in the number of people claiming benefit over the past 10 years who have mental health problems.

CIPD employee relations adviser, Ben Willmott, said it was important for managers and HR practitioners to be aware of the signs of mental ill health so they can provide support before the individual's condition deteriorates to the point they go on long-term sick leave.

Ceridian’s Paul Avis added, “All of the academic research points to the fact that at 6 weeks, mental health begins to supersede physical health in terms of limiting a return to work. The message is simple: get in early and get the employee back to work, or you may end up losing them.”

The CIPD wants the government to introduce tax incentives to encourage more employers to offer occupational health services to employees.

Just as crucially, GPs need to work more closely with employers to identify opportunities for a phased return to work for individuals suffering mental ill health problems in less demanding or reduced-hours roles, Willmott added.

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