Mental Wellbeing A Key To Workers And Economic Health

The UK needs a major rethink of workers' mental health during the current economic uncertainty, government advisers have said. The Government scientific think tank, Foresight, has published a major new report entitled Mental Capital and Well Being, looking at how society can realise its mental potential, focusing on a wide range of aspects including how to enhance mental health and well-being at work.

The report, sponsored by the Department for Innovation, Universities and Skills (DIUS), outlines the findings of an extensive two-year study involving more than 450 leading international experts in subjects ranging from neuroscience to economics, assessed the potential challenges of the next 20 years that could impact on wellbeing.

Professor Cary Cooper, one of the authors of the report from the Foresight group, said a pressing issue was the number of workers who did not feel able to take time off when they were sick or stressed. Presenteeism - where the 'working wounded' troop in despite being unwell - could cost the UK around £900 million per year, the report estimated.

He said employees in the UK already worked longer hours than in other European countries and that workers might feel under even more pressure to 'put in the hours' given the unstable economic climate. 'We want more opportunities to request more flexible working arrangements,' the professor said. 'This is a business issue, it's not a soft issue. People who work flexibly can have more job satisfaction, be healthier and more productive.'

Professor Cooper continued, saying, companies could be required to make public their sickness absence rates and suggested performance indicators for managers. The report also recommends occupational health experts are linked to primary care practices, which is usually the first port of call for people when they are feeling stressed or depressed. John Denham, secretary of state for innovation, universities and skills, whose department sponsored the report, said: 'I welcome this report which provides new insights and creates fresh opportunities to offer support to individuals, families and organisations in building and sustaining mental capital and good mental health.' Drawing on over 100 expert papers, the report identifies three key areas which need to be tackled: learning in the early years; wellbeing at work; and the ageing population.

The study defines mental capital as a person's cognitive and emotional resources. It examines how good they are at learning and their “emotional intelligence”, such as their social skills and resilience in the face of stress.

The publication also examines the issue of well-being at work, noting that work-related absenteeism accounts for between 10 million to 14 million days lost, costing business around £750 million per annum.

The experts conclude that new forms of flexible working could help employees meet the conflicting demands of intensification of work and the increased need for people to look after older relatives. It calls for better integration of primary care and occupational health services to identify early symptoms of stress and mental ill health which could help people return to work.

It remains to be seen whether or not the report will be shelved due to the credit crunch, given that Government minister Mandelson has made it clear he wishes to review flexible working policy - one of the major tenants of this report.

The executive summary of the report can be accessed online here

Source: Risks / Croner's

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