Marvin OnumonuManagers hesitate to discuss mental health at work, according to the latest research from specialist benefits provider, Unum UK.
Of the small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) surveyed, 45% said mental health was a key reason for staff absence, adding to the £29bn lost to sickness-related productivity drops each year.
34% of SME decision-makers said managers struggled to talk about mental health, rising to 47% in medium-sized businesses.
Jane Hulme, HR director at Unum UK, said: “With so much change happening in the world around us, employers are needing to take the lead on wellbeing.
“But our research shows managers are struggling to find the right words when it comes to tough topics like mental health.
“This hesitation can mean missed opportunities for early support.”
Hulme added: “Training can be a game changer, giving managers the self-assurance to spot the early signs that something’s not right, and start the conversations that matter.”
Unum customers have access to online workshops and webinars to help managers build confidence and deal with mental health early.
Managers can also direct staff to digital health services including Help@hand, Unum’s health and wellbeing app, for quick support.
Help@hand arranged more than 42,000 mental health appointments in the past year.
71% of employees using the app said their mental wellbeing improved, while 91% felt better after putting strategies from their sessions into practice.
Hulme added: “The Keep Britain Working review has placed workforce health and absence management at the centre of the national agenda.
“With sickness absence up 62% compared to pre-pandemic levels, employees now lose an average of 9.4 working days a year to ill health.
“For SMEs, this is a wake-up call and a reminder of the critical role that employers can play in supporting mental wellbeing.
“By combining manager training with accessible digital health services, SMEs can help tackle the UK’s leading cause of absence head-on.”
