What are my mental health obligations as an employer?

Mental Health is increasingly on the agenda of employers. Coupled with new research, suggesting that mismanagement of employees with mental health problems costs the UK economy £100million per year, it’s not surprising many firms want to manage this workforce sector appropriately.

And yet, a recent NHS survey found that 48% of staff would not feel comfortable talking with their bosses about mental health – a failure, surely, of workforce attitudes, HR and training.

Sarah Evans, Head of Employment at Slater & Gordon Lawyers, noted that despite an increased willingness for employers to engage with this subject, the law firm “still see employers getting it wrong”.

However, help is at hand. Evans explains that according to the Equality Act if an employee has suffered longstanding mental condition, which has lasted for 12 months or more, then that employee is disabled according to the law – something all employers need to be aware of.