The latest research amongst professional HR workers in the UK commissioned by national employment charity, Shaw Trust, reveals that a staggering 57.1% wouldn't feel happy to disclose a mental ill health condition such as depression within their HR department (1).
The research found that only 32.1% of people working in HR would reveal a mental ill health condition to their line manager, whilst fewer still (17.9%) would be happy to discuss such an issue with other colleagues.
Comments Tim Cooper, Shaw Trust Managing Director: "The Office of National Statistics estimates that one in six people may suffer from a mental ill health condition at any one time (2). Despite this, our research illustrates that people are still very reluctant to reveal such a condition, particularly in the current economic climate in which workers are concerned about showing any sign of perceived weakness.
"We know, however, that with the right support from their employers people with mental health conditions are perfectly capable of managing a job and their condition. We therefore believe it is vital that such negative attitudes are tackled and to help organisations achieve this Shaw Trust has launched a brand new range of Health & Well Being Services for employers, which includes mental health awareness training. The full range of services can be accessed at www.healthyworklife.org.uk."
The research illustrated a clear need for a change in attitudes with 33.4% of professional HR respondents saying that the reason they wouldn't want to reveal a mental ill health condition was because they would either feel ashamed or worried that they would be treated differently.
16.7% of HR workers were also concerned that their employer wouldn't be sympathetic, with the same number worried that disclosing a mental ill health condition would hamper their chances of promotion.
Comments Professor Cary L Cooper, CBE, Professor of Organisational Psychology and Health at Lancaster University: "People have become more comfortable talking about physical illnesses over the years, however there is still a huge stigma associated with having a mental ill health condition. Dealing with such a problem often leaves people feeling awkward and a culture of secrecy seems to have emerged in which people are frightened to confide in others."
Such thoughts were echoed in the findings which showed that 42.9% of HR workers felt they would receive more support at work for a physical disability (than a mental health disorder), with only 10.7% feeling that they would receive more support for a mental ill health disorder.
"There is a clear need for more structure and education on how to support employees with mental health issues" continues Tim Cooper. "Businesses need to create an environment in which people not only feel confident enough to discuss a mental health condition with a line manager or member of the HR team but in which they can also receive the support they need to continue making a valuable contribution."
The Health & Wellbeing Services website provides a one stop shop for employers to create a more positive working environment, helping them build diverse and inclusive workplaces, improve their employees' wellbeing at work, reduce costs due to absence and ill health and improve business performance.
Tim Cooper explains: "When we were developing the programme of services our main objective was to help support employers remove discrimination, comply with legislation and create an environment in which their employees are treated fairly and can flourish, therefore improving employee retention, which in turn increases productivity and profitability."
The website provides access to four specific Health & Well Being Services:
- Diversity Management - Courses include Bullying in the Workplace, Developing Resilience in Managers, Disability/Equality Audit and Training, Dyslexia Awareness Training and Wellness Management
- Managing Mental Health - Courses include Managers Managing Stress, Personality Disorders, Mental Health First Aid Training and Recognising and Managing Mental Ill Health
- Absence Management & Vocational Rehabilitation - A comprehensive case management approach delivering the widest range of assessments as well as clinical and vocational interventions
- Web Accessibility - Courses include Assistive Technology Training, Web Accessibility Awareness and Web Accessibility Accreditation
For further details on the Health & Well Being Services either email your enquiry via the website at http://www.healthyworklife.org.uk/contact_us or call the Service Hotline on 0300 30 33 120.
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