Meet the firms encouraging staff to take mental health days

With the stigma surrounding mental health slowly being broken down by workplaces and society at large, it’s still an area of conversational discomfort.

But, only by starting a dialogue about mental health, will we enable those suffering to come forward. And when organisations are losing £100million every year due to staff mental health – including workplace stress, anxiety and depression, it’s about time HR started to listen.

A number of firms are embracing all facets of health, by encouraging employees to take mental health days off. For example, Ernst & Young, has an initiative called ‘r u ok?’, which encourages workers to check in with each other and offer support to those who might be struggling – Fox Business reports.

American Express has an on-site employee assistance program, offering free counselling to those who need it. Prudential Financial is also giving employees flexible work arrangements and access to mental health professionals.