Financial Ombudsman Service, HSBC, KPMG, Lend Lease Europe and Linklaters are among employers that have made a commitment to addressing mental health in the workplace.
Mental health charity Mind has launched its Getting ahead: why mental health at work matters report, which highlights various organisations’ experiences with mental health issues.
The report is a collection of essays from various employers explaining how they are working to support and care for employees dealing with mental health issues.
In the report’s foreword, the mayor of London, Boris Johnson, explains how a lack of support and understanding of mental health issues, such as depression and anxiety, can lead to “a reduced pool of employees, more time off through sickness and lower productivity.”
Paul Farmer, chief executive of Mind, said: “Prioritising engagement and wellbeing makes a huge difference to the effectiveness of your organisation.
“Work and home lives are increasingly blurred and people still don’t feel comfortable disclosing their mental health issue in the workplace.”
Caroline Wayman, chief executive of Financial Ombudsman Service, added: “Our people are the most important thing of all and mental health is no different. We’re rolling out mental health first aid to our managers.”
Brian Heyworth, global co-head financial institutions, HSBC Global Banking and Markets, said: “People need to be encouraged and there are three key ways to do this: conduct, culture and behaviour. Employers need to encourage staff to be the best they can be and mental health is a huge part of that.”
