29th September 2006
New research by leading disability insurer, UnumProvident, reveals that even in today's enlightened society, in the workplace there is still stigma attached to mental ill-health.
The survey asked employees whether they believed that admitting that they suffer from mental health problems, such as stress, depression and anxiety, would damage their careers. UnumProvident's research found that the majority of employees (77% of both male and female respondents) believed that admitting mental ill-health to their employer would damage their future career prospects. Older workers seemed particularly concerned, with 80% of 45-54 year olds believing that admitting mental ill-health to their employer would impact on their career negatively.
On a regional basis, the North-West region of the UK had the highest number of employees (83%) who believed that discussing mental health problems with an employer would ultimately damage their job prospects. 69% believed that admitting mental health problems would jeopardise their employability. And well over half believed it would impact on their future references from their existing employer and would impact on future pay and benefit increases.
Commenting on the results, Joanne Hindle, Corporate Services Director of UnumProvident, said:
Company directors badly underestimate the likely incidence of mental ill health amongst employees and colleagues and the implications for their business. Around three in every 10 employees (28%-35%) will experience stress, depression or some other form of mental ill health in any year*.
A recent survey by the Shaw Trust found that 63% of employers believed that their organisation's policy on mental health was effective in helping their staff stay in work. However, if employees are not reporting mental health problems for fear of repercussions on their career, employers are less likely to be able to provide effective support.
The taboo of mental ill-health needs to be broken so employees and their employers can pinpoint problems at the outset. Early intervention is key to rehabilitation in mental as well as physical ill-health and will maximise the chances of employees maintaining their careers and staying in work.
UnumProvident was a principal partner with the Shaw Trust earlier this year in a ground-breaking survey into employer attitudes to mental ill-health issues. Employers who want to know more about the research or to be kept informed of the support services that are being developed by Shaw Trust can visit the microsite at www.shaw-trust.org.uk/mentalhealth.
ENDS
*Source: MIND, “Stress and Mental Health in the Workplace,” May 2005