ACAS have recently published new guidance on mental health in the workplace. The guidance covers promoting positive mental health, managing staff experiencing mental ill health, dealing with stress and managing anxiety in the workplace. ACAS are also offering training for employers.
Since this guidance, a new independent review, conducted by Stevenson/Farmer, looking into ways in which employers can improve the support they give to the mental health of their employees, including those with mental health problems or poor well-being, has been published.
There are 40 recommendations included in the review, Thriving at Work, which covers a wide range of helpful information for employers including
- All employers should adopt the mental health core standards set out in the report. These include producing a mental health at work plan, encouraging open conversations about mental health, providing employees with good working conditions and routinely monitoring employee mental health and wellbeing.
- Public and Private Sector Employers with over 500 employees should deliver mental health advanced standards including the provision of tailored in-house mental health support and signposting to clinical health
- The Department of Education should consider how teacher mental health can be incorporated into school mental health strategies.
- Industry groups should provide guidance and support to enable employers to implement the mental health core standards and take steps to support increased employer transparency and accountability on work place mental health
The review lays out recommendations for both public and private sector employers and also for the government.
Written by
Edward Aston
15th November 2017