Over a quarter of long-term absences linked to mental health

Failure to deal with mental health problems in the workplace is costing the UK more than 70 million working days each year, new figures have revealed.  

The figures, from financial protection specialist Unum, showed that mental health issues made up 27% of Income Protection (for those who are unable to work due to incapacity caused by illness or injury) claims in 2014, with the most common mental health claim being reactive depression. Other conditions such as anxiety, stress and bipolar disorder are also leading to workers taking continued periods of time off work.