Proper legislation must be introduced to stop workplace mental health issues costing the UK economy almost £100bn each year, the GMB union has said.
In response to a report, authored by the chief executive of mental health charity Mind, which shows that 300,000 people with long-term mental health problems have to leave their jobs each year, GMB on Thursday said that the voluntary approach to workplace mental health has “utterly failed”.
“The modern workplace puts incredible strain on employees,” said GMB national officer Dan Shears.
“Workers need support and reasonable adjustments for existing conditions, and preventative action to stop mental ill health developing,” he said, adding that “getting this right” could save the UK economy almost £100bn each year.
In the report, which was published on Wednesday, Mind chief executive Paul Framer, said that workplace mental health should be a priority for organisations across the UK.
“Every employer in the UK has a responsibility to support employees with mental health problems and promote the mental wellbeing of their entire workforce,” he said.
Citing data from global professional services firm Deloitte, the report showed that the cost of mental health problems to individual employers is between £33bn and £42bn a year.
Mind said that evaluations of workplace interventions show a return to business of between £1.50 and £9 for every £1 invested.
