Zarah Choudhary13 million workers in the UK are employed by organisations where managers lack training in promoting health and wellbeing, according to new analysis by the Royal Society for Public Health (RSPH).
Research from the Workforce Institute indicated that managers have a greater impact on employee mental health than doctors, therapists, or even spouses.
The RSPH report highlighted the importance of the Make Every Contact Count (MECC) approach in workplace settings, suggesting that training managers and staff to initiate supportive health conversations can foster healthier work environments.
Feedback from HR staff and receptionists who have undertaken MECC training suggested that it will help build confidence in addressing topics such as mental health, menopause, and physical activity.
The report also noted that by 2040, nearly 25% more working-age adults in the UK are expected to be living with major illnesses, rising from three million to 3.7 million.
This increase in long-term health conditions underscored the need for stronger workplace interventions to support employee wellbeing and reduce future strain on healthcare services.
Polling data showed that 64% of adults believe employers and managers should be trained to discuss both physical and mental health with their teams.
The findings suggest that employers have a significant role to play in promoting mental health support at work, with line managers in particular being well-placed to identify early signs of health issues.
The report also addressed the issue of training gaps, stating that many employees face a “lottery of access” to health support, depending on whether their managers have received adequate training.
Businesses that implement MECC training can create more supportive environments and enable managers to spot early signs of mental or physical health issues.
The adaptability of the MECC approach across different workplace environments is also emphasised.
In sectors such as sports and leisure, the report noted that a more practical, workshop-based format has been found to be more effective.
Additionally, the report highlighted the importance of tailoring training to be culturally sensitive, ensuring that it meets the needs of diverse workforces by considering language barriers and cultural practices.
The RSPH report recommended that businesses and sector leaders integrate MECC approaches into their organisations to improve employee wellbeing.
It suggested that training employees to engage in health-focused conversations can help reduce stress, boost productivity, and support a healthier working environment.
