NEARLY half of workers say they have called in sick complaining of a physical problem when they were actually suffering with mental health issues, according to a study.
The research by West Midlands health provider BHSF found 42 per cent had done so.
It also found more than half of employees polled were suffering from stress, a third from anxiety and a quarter from depression.
The study is being highlighted by the West Midlands Combined Authority, as the region-based Thrive At Work programme has signed up more than 100 companies looking to improve the health and wellbeing of staff.
Dr Philip McCrea, chief medical officer at BHSF, said: “The scale of this problem is huge – and it is being massively underestimated by employers, with employees feeling that they have to mask the issues they are facing.
“Although shocking, these findings don’t surprise me. This report must provide a reality check for employers, who need to be more proactive and focused on early intervention. A more open culture must be created in workplaces across the UK, and employers have to take responsibility for this change.”
The pilot project is open to firms in Coventry, Solihull, Warwickshire and in many districts throughout the West Midlands region.
Thrive at Work is headed by Supt Sean Russell, director of implementation for health and wellbeing at the West Midlands Combined Authority (WMCA).
He said: “4.1 million working days are lost in the West Midlands each year because of poor mental health, it costs our economy £16 billion.
“With Thrive At Work we’re offering a toolkit to businesses to improve the health and wellbeing of employees. From work we’ve done with some organisations we found you can see a four per cent increase in their bottom line.”
Under the trial scheme the WMCA is offering a free business toolkit, support, expert advice and potential access to grants for firms with between 10 and 250 employees.
Firms taking part will be split into two groups as part of an academic randomised control trial and their results compared.
One of the randomised group will just be given the WMCA toolkit for improving wellbeing and the others will be given the toolkit and cash grants of up to £10,000 to be spent on wellbeing initiatives.
To find out more and join Thrive at Work visit the website: https://www.wmca.org.uk/what-we-do/thrive/thrive-at-work/
