Levels of transparency around mental health at work have increased slightly in the past year, according to a survey of 8000 UK adults.
Nuffield Health’s annual health index 2023 showed that in the 12 months to March 2023, 32 percent of UK employees said they called in sick due to poor mental health but gave their employer another reason. This is an improvement from the 2022 index, which found that 35 percent of employees did not want to say they were off sick due to mental health issues.
The latest index also revealed that 56 percent of people went to work despite poor mental health, representing another improvement from 63 percent in 2022.
Researchers said the data suggests that while the stigma around mental ill health is still a barrier to open discussions between employees and employers, there has been a “positive step towards better communication” as people are becoming more comfortable sharing that they need rest, emotional support and time away from their desks.
However, while communication around mental health has improved, the survey revealed issues around a lack of time for physical activity.
More than two fifths (46 percent) of respondents said that work commitments acted as a barrier to physical exercise, with 43 percent stating more time should be earmarked for physical activity.
Researchers said that as low physical activity and poor mental health are linked, employers need to listen to the needs of their workforce and foster a positive and more transparent culture.
Lisa Gunn, mental health prevention lead at Nuffield Health, said: “We are extremely passionate about building a healthier nation and are pleased to see an improvement in mental health transparency each year.”
She called on workplaces to encourage employees to #Find5 minutes to look after their bodies and minds and said that spending just five extra minutes on personal wellbeing a day can significantly boost mental and physical health.
She added: “This is a key part of creating an open, transparent and connected workplace environment. People are becoming more aware of the benefits of exercise on overall wellbeing and employers should lean into that.”
Gunn offered employers three top tips to help boost employee mental and physical wellbeing.
- Take a holistic approach to fitness
In the past year, 46 percent of people said work had negatively impacted their physical and mental health. The benefits of regular exercise are well documented, but there is less awareness and understanding of the link between mental and physical health.
Gunn said it’s well known, for example, that physical exercise releases ‘feel good’ chemicals such as endorphins and dopamine, which make us feel positive and relieve stress. The benefits of ’emotional fitness’ on physical health are less widely known.
There is an inseparable link between physical and mental health, and, as such, a holistic approach is much more likely to result in healthier outcomes than by making artificial distinctions between mind and body. Focus on one above the other can lead to unhelpful behaviours and negative cycles, which can be difficult to break.
Spending five minutes talking to employees struggling with their mental health and discussing their preferred methods of coping can have a positive impact. This may allow them to reflect on their needs for increased physical activity and allow you to accommodate those needs where necessary.
- Consider flexible working solutions
It’s encouraging that more employees feel comfortable admitting they need time off work due to mental health. However, it’s no coincidence that those with flexible working reported better physical fitness (44 percent) and better physical (43 percent) and mental health (39 percent).
Gunn said the study shows that most working individuals agree that employers should make work patterns more flexible to allow more time for exercise (47 percent).
Flexible working patterns have been a contentious subject post-COVID-19, with many employees forced to return to the office. However, flexible working gives people more freedom to fit in time to move their bodies.
Workplaces should recognise that not everyone has free time to exercise in their average day, particularly those with additional responsibilities, such as working parents or part-time carers.
Offering flexibility can enhance employee-employer relationships. Employees granted flexibility are more likely to feel like their needs are being heard, which increases productivity and can also help to increase transparency in future situations.
- Promote movement
Advice from the World Health Organisation says people of all ages should aim to be active for at least 150 minutes a week. For added health benefits, this duration can be increased to 300 minutes a week.
While some employees are actively asking for more time for physical activity, the study revealed that 39 percent said they want employers to do more to support them to exercise.
This could be as simple as promoting regular exercise in morning meetings, sharing information about local gyms or fitness classes via email or with leaflets in the office. It could also include organising company socials that involve physical activity.
In just five minutes, managers can help with or highlight employee wellbeing offerings. This may include subsidised gym memberships that encourage regular exercise or full health MOTs in the office where health professionals identify individuals’ physical risk factors. Similarly, access to cognitive behavioural therapy and employee assistance programmes allows employees to speak with mental health experts to understand and combat negative thinking patterns.
