Managers/Management

As a manager or person in position of responsibility, it is important to address the whole lifecycle of employment, from recruitment, through keeping people well and managing a disability or ill health at work, to supporting people to return to work after a period of absence. It is important to facilitate conversations about stress and mental health issues and put in place support so employees can stay well and in work – meaning they perform at their best for the business while the employer retains talent and expertise.

Mental health and disability is still the elephant in the room in some workplaces, with employers reluctant to raise the subject for fear of doing the wrong thing. Employers commonly fear making matters worse or provoking legal consequences. The culture of silence can cause issues to spiral into crisis, resulting in higher levels of sickness absence, presenteeism and increased levels of staff turnover. The good news is there is plenty of support available to support managers and businesses are doing more to combat ill health and disability at work.