Around a third (35%) of respondents that have experienced mental health issues have discussed these with their manager, according to research by Willis PMI Group.
Its survey of 1,388 UK employees also found that 30% of respondents do not speak to their manager about their mental health because they are worried that they would not receive adequate support.
The research also found:
- 26% of respondents aged 16-24 years old that have experienced mental health issues have spoken to their manager about these. This compares to 38% of respondents aged 45-64 years old.
- A third (33%) of respondents do not discuss their mental health with managers because they fear the impact it could have on job prospects, and 23% worry that it will make managers think less of them.
- More than a quarter (28%) of respondents do not speak to management about their mental health because of concerns that they would not understand.
- 30% of respondents think that mental health is a private issue.
- Around a quarter (26%) of respondents aged 45-64 believe that mental health is a private matter, compared to 32% of 16-44 years olds.
Mike Blake (pictured), director at Willis PMI Group, said: “Mental illness remains an incredibly delicate subject and one that requires urgent attention from employers in order to better manage staff wellbeing and sickness absence.
“It is unlikely we would ever see a case with physical illness where most people are unwilling to report it to management, so organisations must ensure employees with mental health issues do not suffer in silence.
“The proper recording of sickness and absence related to mental health is a crucial first step in tackling the problem, but this can only happen if staff are given the assurance they can report issues in confidentiality and without judgement.”
