There is no doubt that there is a growing awareness of the impact and importance on our mental health on our day to day lives. If you run a business, you need to make sure that you look after your own health and well-being and you will also have a responsibility for the people that you employ.
Line managers play a key part in supporting employees at work. There is often a gap in the knowledge and confidence of line managers to be able to do this effectively. In a recent article from the Institute of Occupational Safety and Health (IOSH) it was reported that more than half of line managers surveyed stated that they do not get enough help from their employers, including training, to enable them to support their own team members. In particular, the line managers need to be equipped to recognise signs that their workers are struggling with their mental health and know how to deal with this. Raising the awareness and knowledge of mental health will really benefit the workplace.
The culture of an organisation around health and safety can help to maintain a supportive environment. Putting simple and pro-active processes in place around prevention can be employed in the area of mental health and wellbeing.
There is even a new ISO Standard for Occupational Health and Safety (OH&S) Management Systems, ISO 45001:201. This is a framework for managing safety, occupational health and wellbeing. The Standard has been developed by a global committee with significant input from the International Labour Organisation (ILO) to ensure that workers’ right and the provision of safe and healthy workplaces are at the core of the OH&S management system.
By putting in place some practical standards, an OH&S management system (in line with ISO 45001:2018) this can help to establish conditions where workers feel able and willing to discuss mental health issues without feeling stigmatised or disadvantaged.
Our PitstopHR packages include tools and guidance to support your in-house processes for managing mental health issues. We can also offer in-house training for your line managers to equip them to understand:
• how to manage changes in workers’ mental health;
• the causes of ill-health;
• how to recognise when employees may be unwell; and
• how to respond.
If you need help give us call to talk things through - 03300 414 636