New support for small businesses to encourage good mental health

In November 2021, the Health and Safety Executive launched the Working Minds campaign to encourage employers to promote good mental health at work.

Work-related stress and poor mental health is the top reason for days lost due to sickness absence, and whilst the full impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the mental health of the UK's workers is not fully understood, it is anticipated that employee mental health is likely to have worsened.

Working Minds aims to help businesses better recognise the signs of work-related stress and support staff, calling for a culture change in which psychological risks in Britain's workplaces are treated the same as physical ones.

Partnering with a number of organisations, such as the mental health charity Mind, Working Minds is specifically targeted at supporting small businesses by providing easy to implement advice to empower anyone experiencing a mental health problem.

Employers and workers wanting to know more about the Working Minds campaign, including the legal obligations, advice, and tools available, should visit: workright.campaign.gov.uk/campaigns/workingminds.

To access additional resources to support you to promote health and wellbeing in your workplace, sign the free Wellbeing at Work Pledge: https://www.active-together.org/wellbeingatworkcharter