Substantial rise in long-term mental health absence hits Midlands businesses

There was a considerable rise within the proportion of companies within the Midlands with workers off work on account of long-term psychological well being points, in accordance with a brand new report from researchers at Warwick Enterprise Faculty.

The annual survey of 1,900 Midlands-based companies by the Enterprise Analysis Heart (ERC), which is now in its fifth 12 months, discovered that whereas psychological well being absence continues to be a problem for a lot of companies, there was a very putting enhance in long-term absences.

Researchers discovered that 27.5% of companies reported they’d skilled some stage of psychological well being associated absence within the earlier 12 months. The proportion of those that stated that not less than a few of this was long-term (outlined as lasting 4 weeks or extra) grew from 38% in 2023 to 47.2% in 2024—a considerable enhance of 9.2%.

The research additionally discovered proof of constant issues with ‘presenteeism’ (when staff work when they’re unwell or work lengthy hours). There was a dramatic enhance in presenteeism in 2023, and it stays excessive. Properly over a 3rd of companies reported some stage of presenteeism of their office within the 2024 survey.

Earlier evaluation by ERC researchers estimated that companies experiencing office psychological well being points comparable to absence and presenteeism might see their productiveness drop by 25%.

The research additionally discovered proof of extra companies responding to those pressures by adopting measures to deal with psychological well being, with 57% of companies providing initiatives in 2024, up from 52% in 2023, and 44% earlier than the COVID-19 pandemic. Nonetheless, almost 80% of companies imagine that they ought to supply such initiatives, which level to a considerable hole between intention and motion.

Lead researcher Dr. Maria Wishart stated, “Our analysis exhibits that psychological well being points proceed to be an issue being confronted by a considerable proportion of companies. And it is not an issue that’s simply going to go away.

“The sharp rise in companies reporting they’re having long-term psychological health-related illness absence is especially regarding, as the results for the person and the enterprise are typically better.

“Not solely do psychological well being points have unfavourable results on the people and households experiencing them, we additionally know that they’ve a detrimental impression on enterprise efficiency.

“Whereas it has been encouraging to see an increase in companies offering psychological well being assist to their workers, there may be way more to be accomplished. A sizeable portion don’t supply any psychological well being initiatives, and almost a fifth instructed us that they haven’t any plans to take action sooner or later both.

“We actually have to shift the dial on office psychological well being, and this may require motion on a spread of fronts, from authorities, psychological well being organizations and employers.”

There have been some variations by business, with long-term psychological well being absence spikes in manufacturing, wholesale/retail and hospitality, which the analysis signifies is prone to be linked to greater proportions of lower-paid, lower-skill jobs in these sectors.

The report recommends making extra schooling and assist obtainable to employers, in addition to tailor-made assist for smaller companies. It additionally emphasizes the necessity for companies to place worker well-being on the middle of job design to create more healthy working environments.

The function of business our bodies can be highlighted, notably in these sectors the place there’s a greater prevalence of psychological well being points and a low adoption of practices to assist by bosses.

Dr. Wishart stated, “There are variations between sectors that present up in our analysis and wish extra consideration. The info signifies there may very well be a hyperlink between decrease expert, much less safe jobs and long-term psychological well being absence for instance.

“There are additionally sectors the place the proportion of employers providing psychological well being initiatives is markedly decrease. A greater understanding of those variations will assist make sure that psychological well being assist that’s higher tailor-made to particular work settings.”