EMPLOYERS should be doing more to combat stress in the workplace.
Work-related stress, anxiety or depression accounts for over half of all working days lost due to ill health in the UK.
According to figures released by the Health and Safety Executive (HSE), 15.4million working days were lost in 2017/18 as a result, up from 12.5million the year before. This equates to 57.3% of the 26.8 million workdays lost to ill health.
Edward Hughes, based in Rhyl and Colwyn Bay, highlighted the need for companies to support staff experiencing mental pressures as a result of their workplace.
“Employers have a legal obligation to support and provide reasonable care for their staff, and that includes their mental health,” said partner, Richard Johnson.
“Obviously everyone’s circumstances are different, and companies will take that into account, but in many cases, this could involve them being more flexible around start and finish times, workload and the office environment.
“If the condition is largely exacerbated by work then treatment and counselling should be made available in a bid to help them cope with these difficulties.
“Someone suffering from a mental illness may also be protected under disability discrimination laws under the Equality Act 2010 if the illness has a substantial and long-term adverse effect on their ability to carry out normal daily activities.”
Approaching your manager to discuss the issue is itself a challenge, as for many workers and employers, mental health and stress are still a taboo subject.
“There is also a general statutory duty on employers to carry out health and safety risk assessments, so workers are well within their rights to raise their concerns if they feel the work-related stress is preventing them from doing their job,” added Richard.
“And the vast majority of businesses and HR teams want to know what the problems are so they can help, to ensure a happy and healthy workforce.”
For more information on Employment Law, visit www.edwardhughes.co.uk or call 01745 343661 or 01492 535640.