1.2million UK employees face disciplinary for disclosing mental health issues at work

A staggering number of UK employees have faced demotion, disciplinary or dismissal after disclosing their mental health issues at work, a new report has found.

Charity, Business in the Community in partnership with MHFA England and Mind, found that 1.2 million employees could risk serious repercussions for disclosing a mental health issue.

15% of employees face dismissal, disciplinary action or demotion after disclosing a mental health issue at work. Despite this, 53% of people admitted to feeling comfortable talking about mental health at work.

“It’s encouraging to see that attitudes towards mental health in the workplace are shifting,” commented Poppy Jaman, CEO, Mental Health First Aid England, “however this report demonstrates that employers are still failing to translate increased awareness into action. Worryingly, over a million people who disclosed a mental health issue to their employer have faced negative consequences or even dismissal.