Two-thirds (64%) of organisations have seen a rise in absenteeism due to mental health issues, with younger employees most affected, according to research by consultancy Barnett Waddingham.
Two-thirds (64%) of organisations have seen a rise in absenteeism due to mental health issues, with younger employees most affected, according to research by consultancy Barnett Waddingham.
Its study of 301 HR directors and C-Suite business leaders in UK organisations also found two-fifths (41%) of these have responded by increasing their spend on mental health support, while 28% boosted training around mental health challenges.
Two-fifths (40%) of respondents said they consider strengthening mental health support programmes a strategic priority moving forward. A similar proportion (38%) plan to implement mental health support programmes, 34% want to adopt phased returns to work and 31% will offer greater flexibility in working arrangements.
Three-quarters (73%) believe they are prepared to manage employee mental health issues, yet less than half collect data on this topic. More than two-thirds (69%) had observed mental health services being most utilised by younger employees aged 25-34, with 51% reporting a significant mental health impact in this group, compared to decreasing concerns among older workers.
Less than half (44%) actively collect data on incidences of anxiety and depression, while 46% collect data on stress-related disorders. However, 38% do not believe they have had any incidents of cognitive conditions such as dementia or Alzheimer’s, while 28% and 23% reported no incidences of learning difficulties or neurodiversity.
Julia Turney, partner, platform and benefits at Barnett Waddingham, said: “It’s clear there is a stark clash between employers’ perceptions of their mental health support structures, and the reality. Business leaders are operating with naive optimism that they have the right systems and processes in place to support their staff, but they’re working blind, they don’t have the visibility of data or metrics needed to make change.
“Employers are a critical part of the ecosystem, and without accurate insights into workforce challenges, effective solutions are impossible. By implementing robust data capture and analysis of time off sick, causation, and benefit impact, organisations can better understand and improve employee wellbeing for the long term.”
