The Hidden Edge. Jodie Rogers

The Hidden Edge - Jodie Rogers


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think.

      So, thinking of your team of 30 again, potentially 9 people have experienced mental health problems at some point, and 5 of them still are; and 18 members of your team have experienced stress or problems caused by their job at some point. When a member of your team is experiencing stress or anxiety at work, we should be striving to create an open environment where workers are able to get help within the workplace before they report sick. However, in an increasing number of cases, this just isn't happening (Table 2.2).

      Now, look at your team and think about the potential you could unlock with a mental fitness programme. Not only could you support these people now, you would also enhance and strengthen their mental and emotional well-being for the future, not just for those people suffering now, but for all 30 of your figurative team. Isn't that something worth investigating? I think so.

       Table 2.2 UK statistics on the scale of mental health illness and work-related stress.

Statistic Source Impact on your team of 30
People with mental health problems make up 15.9% of the UK workforce Five out of 30 Experiencing NOW
One in four (23%) UK employees have experienced symptoms of mental health problems in the past month, related to or caused by work Eight out of 30
30% of the UK workforce is diagnosed with a mental health condition in their lifetime Nine out of 30 At some point
Six in 10 (62%) UK employees have experienced symptoms of mental health problems, related to or caused by work, at some point in their career 18 out of 30

      The costs are due to four main factors: absenteeism, presenteeism, leaveism, and labour turnover (Figure 2.1).

Schematic illustration of the factors affecting business performance.

      Figure 2.1 Factors affecting business performance.

       £21.1–£23.4 billion in presenteeism

       £6.9 billion in turnover costs

       £5 billion in absence

      The same study shows that the average employer is losing £1652 per employee due to poor mental health, and that the average ROI for well-being initiatives is 5×. Despite this excellent investment opportunity, the average UK employer is spending just £26 per employee per year, compared to £210 in Sweden.

       73% of British workers feel they are expected to be available for work at all times.7

       9% of workers in the UK who have no experience of mental health problems agree that ‘distress has left them less productive than they would like’.8

       51% of organisations observed that employees work outside contracted hours to get work done.9

       36% observed employees would use holidays and other allocated time off to work.11

       In a global study, nearly one in three workers are ‘unable to mentally switch off from work’, and 20% of people said ‘being constantly connected to work made them feel mentally exhausted’.10

       When asked the question, ‘When I am struggling with my mental health and would benefit from time off’, 85% of UK respondents agreed they would still ‘always or mostly go to work’.11

      Why is this important in the workplace? Well, even engaged employees are more likely to miss work days, are slower to recover from illness, and are more likely to be looking for another job if their well-being is poor. Imagine having a workforce with purpose, with good work relationships, feeling part of a community. That's what consciously and positively investing in a well-being (and better still, mental fitness) programme can bring to your business. Engaged, thriving employees who are less likely to take time off, and are more productive at work, more resilient and happy to embrace change.

      Enough of the costs of doing nothing. Let's look at the benefits of doing something.

      Benefits to the Economy

      Benefits to Business

      Despite all the evidence showing the costs to employers and the economy of poor mental health in the workplace,


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