Increasing awareness and support for stress management among UK employers.
- Employers are legally required to ensure worker safety, including mental health.
- Research shows growth in stress management benefits offered by companies.
- Stress is a leading cause of long-term sickness absence among UK workers.
- Companies recognise the benefits of counselling and employee assistance programmes.
Recent findings indicate a growing recognition amongst UK employers of the importance of stress management within the workplace. Notably, employers are legally mandated to uphold the health and safety of their employees, which encompasses mental health considerations, as per the Health and Safety at Work Act 1974 and subsequent regulations. The need to mitigate stress-related illnesses and injuries has prompted many organisations to bolster their support mechanisms.
A survey conducted under the aegis of PMI Health Group highlights a marked increase in the availability of stress management options provided by employers. Presently, 40 per cent of employers offer benefits such as Employee Assistance Programmes (EAPs) and counselling, reflecting an upward trend from 36 per cent the preceding year and a significant leap from 25 per cent in 2013. This data underscores a persistent and progressive commitment by employers to tackle stress-related issues.
The Health and Safety Executive has taken an active role in championing the serious consideration of workplace stress, offering detailed guidance and illustrative case studies on their platform. The imperative for proactive engagement is clear: inefficacious management of workplace stress can have deleterious effects on employee mental wellbeing, which can subsequently detract from overall productivity and morale, as well as adversely impact the company’s financial performance.
Mike Blake, a director at the PMI Health Group, elucidates that the increasing prevalence of stress as the foremost cause of extended absences in non-manual UK workers necessitates sustained employer attention and intervention. The research indicates a palpable shift in how stress management is perceived and valued by employees, as exemplified by the 14 per cent who rated counselling services and EAPs among their top valued benefits, a rise from nine per cent in 2013.
Adrian Lewis of Activ Absence echoes the sentiment, emphasising the utility of software that identifies stress-induced sickness absence patterns. However, he cautions that actionable insights must follow these detections for effective management. He stresses that stress impacts not only professional but personal facets of life, making the proactive measures by businesses commendable and necessary.
The increased focus on stress management by employers is a significant step towards improving workplace wellbeing and productivity.
