‘Blue Monday,’ hailed as the most depressing day, draws attention to workplace mental health.
- Mental health charity Mind dismisses ‘Blue Monday,’ but experts see potential benefits for awareness.
- Adrian Lewis highlights increased absenteeism during this period as a cue for employers to take action.
- Understanding absenteeism can contribute to productivity and cost savings.
- Mental health-related absence is significant, with many taking extended leaves.
Monday 20th January 2020, often referred to as ‘Blue Monday’, is described as the most depressing day of the year. This date, marked by dreary weather, financial debt, and post-holiday blues, serves as a stark reminder of mental health challenges faced by individuals. While some organisations like Mind dismiss the concept of Blue Monday as unfounded, others see it as an opportunity to address mental health in the workplace.
Adrian Lewis from Activ Absence suggests that, while Blue Monday may lack scientific underpinning, it amplifies awareness of mental health issues, guiding employers to explore strategies to minimise employee absenteeism. Recognising why employees are absent is crucial, as it enables employers to provide the necessary support, fostering increased productivity and reducing absenteeism over time.
The Centre of Economic and Business Research indicates that workplace absences cost the UK economy £18 billion in lost productivity, with projections of £21 billion by 2020 and £26 billion by 2030. Among the primary contributors to absenteeism are rising mental health issues. On average, employees dealing with mental health-related illnesses take off eight days, and 44 percent take leave extending over ten days.
A report by Business in the Community in 2017 revealed that 60% of employees have encountered work-induced mental health problems in the past year, and nearly a third have been diagnosed with a mental health condition, predominantly depression or anxiety. As Adrian Lewis points out, tackling absenteeism at its core is becoming a priority for employers, emphasizing patterns rather than one-off events like Blue Monday.
Lewis advises that employers meticulously record and analyse absenteeism to identify patterns that may suggest broader issues, including mental health concerns. Proactive policies and tools such as absence management software can significantly mitigate absenteeism, providing managers with insights and control over the workforce’s health trends.
Employers are encouraged to leverage insights from absentee records and consider mental health support to enhance workforce productivity and well-being.
