Mental health-related sickness absence has increased by 20% in the last 12 months, according to a recent survey by global HR, employment law, and health & safety consultancy Peninsula Group. The survey, which included responses from 79,000 businesses across Australia, Canada, Ireland, and New Zealand, revealed a staggering 140% year-on-year increase in the number of employers struggling to manage poor mental health across their workforce.
Alan Price, Peninsula Group Chief Operations Officer, highlighted the growing significance of mental health issues in the workplace. “Mental health is now the leading cause of absence, with an estimated 17.1 million days lost to mental health in the UK alone,” he stated. “We wanted to understand more about the pressures that SME owners are under and the real-life impact this epidemic is having on businesses around the world.”
Price emphasized the critical nature of addressing mental health in the workplace, noting that the Lancet Commission estimates the global cost of mental health issues to reach $16 trillion by 2030. “Healthy employees make for healthy workplaces,” he said, noting the positive trend of employers becoming more comfortable discussing mental health concerns.
Key Findings from the Survey
30% Increase in Employers Experiencing Poor Mental Health: There was a significant rise in the number of employers dealing with their own mental health issues.
Geographical Variations: Canadian employers are three times more likely to take time off for mental health reasons compared to their UK counterparts and twice as likely as Irish employers.
Mental Health Related Absence: The increase was most pronounced in Australia, with a 43% year-on-year rise in reported sickness absence due to mental health issues.
Support Measures: There was a 40% increase in the number of employers offering mental health support, and a notable rise in the use of Employee Assistance Programs (EAPs) with an average ROI of 10:1.
Mental Health First Aiders: A 63% increase in SMEs with mental health first aiders in place was reported.
Regional Insights
UK and Ireland: Despite the global trend, both countries saw a decrease in sickness absence, possibly indicating a rise in presenteeism.
Work/Life Balance: The importance of work/life balance fell in the UK and Ireland, while it increased by at least 50% in Australia, Canada, and New Zealand.
Mental Health Days
The survey found that Canadian and New Zealand employers are more likely to offer mental health days in addition to personal leave entitlements. In contrast, the majority of employers in the UK, Ireland, and Australia do not offer such days nor plan to introduce them.
Employer Support
Globally, there was a 66% year-on-year increase in businesses introducing mental health first aiders, with Ireland seeing an 86% increase. Significant steps have also been taken in Canada and Australia, with a 52% and 76% year-on-year increase in support measures, respectively.
Challenges in Addressing Mental Health
Despite these advances, there are still significant challenges. One in three employees who spoke to their boss about mental health issues reported that no action was taken. A respondent noted, “Whilst I am confident supporting employees, I am not confident raising issues I personally have. As a long-tenured manager, I feel my needs are overlooked, while support and adjustments are offered to younger colleagues.”
Conclusion
The survey underscores the urgent need for continued focus on mental health in the workplace. The rise in mental health-related absences highlights the critical importance of employer support and the implementation of effective mental health strategies. While progress is being made, there is still work to be done to ensure healthy and happy workplaces worldwide.
