Fighting stigma
20 December 2010
A poll of 500 business leaders reveals British businesses are failing employees with mental health conditions, from recruitment through to on-the-job support.
The poll, conducted by the Institute of Psychiatry, King’s College London, commissioned by Shaw Trust and funded by Time to Change and National Institute of Health Research (NIHR), reveals that 8 in 10 business chiefs think British industry ‘loses out’ on crucial abilities, skills and talent by failing to recruit or retain a diverse workforce. Despite this the poll exposes businesses are discriminating against people with mental health conditions. Such high levels of prejudice are matched by poor levels of support and understanding. Consequently, the cost to businesses per year includes 70 million days lost due to sickness, and £26billion in financial losses.
Despite this, Dr Claire Henderson, Lead Researcher for the report at King’s believes the situation is improving: ‘Our findings suggest that workplace provisions are improving since 2006, and that employers are more aware that they need to improve them, for employees who develop or disclose a mental health problem once they are employed. In contrast, attitudes toward hiring people with mental health problems are still very negative; almost three-quarters in 2009 agreed with the statement that employers are generally resistant to doing so.’
Key points
-Tackle the last workplace taboo with training and open discussions to raise awareness about mental health conditions
-Create an early warning system, alerting line managers to signs of mental ill health
-Support your staff – try stress-busting training, flexible hours, or a workplace buddy system
-Half of employers would not hire workers with mental health conditions due to negative staff attitudes-
-40 per cent of employers view workers with mental health issues as a ‘significant risk’
-8 in 10 companies have no mental health policy
-1 in 4 employers could not name any mental health disorders
Sally Burton, Chief Executive of Shaw Trust, said: ‘Our poll, released today, reveals British business is continuing to fail employees with mental health conditions. Levels of prejudice and misunderstanding are alarmingly high, yet emotional and practical support remains low or often non-existent. Working for a supportive employer can make all the difference. But it’s not just about social justice; it also makes real business sense. Embracing a diverse workforce will pay dividends from increased productivity to improved performance and retention. Companies retain a competitive edge. In this age of austerity, companies can ill afford to ignore mental health in the workplace. It is time to break this last workplace taboo once and for all.’
Sue Baker, Director of Time to Change, said: ‘Stigma and discrimination in the workplace stop many employees disclosing their mental health problems, which can mean they don't get the support they need and can leave them unprotected by legislation.’
Many organisations are beginning to address the mental wellbeing of their workforce. However, there are still many employers who struggle to know what to do to meet their obligations and employees who simply don't know their rights. Since the launch of Time to Change, we have seen society begin to change its attitudes towards mental health - and employers can and should play their part at the forefront of this change.’
Little K, Henderson C, Brohan E, Thornicroft G. 'Employers’ attitudes to people with mental health problems in the work place in Britain: changes between 2006 and 2009', Epidemiologica e Psichiatria Sociale, accepted for publication 6.6.10.