Government to tackle mental health with flexible working

News Article - 16 February 2011
Category: Business

The Government is to launch a consultation to extend the right to request flexible working to all employees as part of a strategy to transform the mental health and wellbeing of the nation.

Launching its 'No health without mental health' strategy, Government ministers said flexible working would help carers of people with mental health problems manage their caring role alongside work.

The Government also wants more people to have good mental health by 2014, with more people recovering from mental health problems alongside improving physical wellbeing. A reduction in the stigma and discrimination felt by sufferers of mental health is also a significant goal.

Absence due to mental health issues costs the nation's economy £8.4 billion a year. Experts are concerned the threat of redundancy and unemployment amongst employees and young graduates could accentuate mental health problems further.

The cost of treating mental health problems could double over the next two decades. According to the Sainsbury Centre for Mental Health the cost of mental health problems stood at £77 billion in 2003, with more recent estimates suggesting expenses may be closer to £105 billion.

Deputy Prime Minister Nick Clegg said: "We need to end the stigma attached to mental illness, to set an example by talking about the issue openly and candidly and ensure everyone can access the support and information they need.

"The strategy shows how we will put people at the heart of everything we do, from a new focus on early intervention to increased funding for psychological therapy, so that everyone has a fair opportunity to get their lives back on track."

With more and more emphasis placed by the Government on improving mental health, and as the link between flexible working and improved health becomes more apparent, businesses will come under increasing pressure to offer greater lifestyle variety to employees.

Without the administrative framework necessary to both implement and maintain such a plan, this will prove very difficult. Access HR software automates many common processes, such as recruitment and selection, providing significant time efficiencies that HR bosses can use to re-evaluate flexible working policy.

For more information, please call Access on0845 345 3300.

Article keywords: Flexible working, mental health, No health without mental health strategy, employee absence, Sainsbury Centre for Mental Health Deputy Prime Minister, Nick Clegg, Access HR software

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