Introducing mental health days is a forward-thinking approach to enhance employee wellbeing and productivity.
- A significant 52% of employees feel unsupported in addressing workplace mental health issues.
- 70% of companies recognise mental health awareness, yet many don’t offer mental health days.
- Absenteeism and presenteeism due to mental health issues cost businesses billions annually.
- Companies are urged to adopt holistic strategies for employee wellbeing beyond mere mental health days.
Introducing mental health days is increasingly seen as a crucial step towards supporting employee wellbeing. With more than half of the workforce feeling unsupported when it comes to mental health at work, businesses are seeking new ways to ensure their employees can recuperate and rest when needed. David Banaghan emphasises that offering mental health days can lead to improved productivity and successful recruitment.
Despite the recognition of mental health awareness by 71% of businesses, many fail to provide mental health days as part of their wellbeing initiatives, largely due to the lack of legal requirement. Mental health days can reduce the stigma of taking personal time for mental health, fostering open discussions between employees and HR about the need for time off.
The cost of untreated mental health issues is significant, with sick leave reaching a ten-year high in the UK. Employees are taking an average of 7.8 sick days annually, and this rate is even more pronounced in the public sector. Addressing mental health proactively can help minimise absenteeism.
Presenteeism presents another hidden cost, with companies losing between £33 and £42 billion yearly. Employees may avoid taking leave due to the stigma associated with mental health issues or the belief that absence might exacerbate their workload. Companies need to foster a supportive culture that recognises the signs of burnout and provides appropriate support.
While mental health days offer substantial benefits like increased productivity and better company morale, it’s crucial to avoid ‘wellbeing washing.’ True employee support requires more than celebrating awareness days; it involves providing genuine and comprehensive mental health resources and support strategies.”
Mental health days represent only a component of a broader strategy necessary to support workplace wellbeing effectively.
