Workers hide stress in fear of losing their jobs

Nearly half of stressed workers are too scared to take time off sick because they fear they’ll be made redundant or even sacked for speaking up, according to a recent survey.

The results of the research by mental health charity Mind also show that ignoring the problem is proving costly to employers.

Work is the most stressful part of people’s lives, with 41 per cent of survey participants rating their career more stressful than money worries, marriage and relationships or health issues.

And worryingly, 48 per cent of employees questioned claimed they were too scared to take time off sick.

Paul Farmer, Chief Executive of Mind, said: “The negativity that persists around stress and mental health problems is unacceptable in a modern workforce.

“Pressure and stress may be part of our working lives, but failing to recognise that everyone has a limit is a mistake that costs businesses billions of pounds a year. Stigma is so great that employees worry that even mentioning stress will lose them their jobs. Mental health problems exist in every workforce, but at the moment it exists as a costly and unaddressed elephant in the room.”

Since the recession, mental health problems have surged. In 2010, it was reported that depression had increased almost five fold, as cases of job loss, pay cuts and career insecurity soared.

As such, the Government has introduced ‘Talking Therapies: A Four Year Plan of Action’ as part of its new strategy ‘No Health Without Mental Health’. The plan emphasises the importance of talking therapies such as cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT) and counselling.

Westfield Health pre-empted the Government’s move towards investing more in talking therapies, by introducing CBT as a core benefit on the Chamber Primary Health Plan.

CBT has been recognised by both the Government and the National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence as an effective talking therapy for the treatment of many mental health conditions.

Introducing the CBT benefit has built on the Chamber Plan’s employee assistance programme (EAP), which already provides a 24-hour freephone counselling and advice line and up to six face to face counselling sessions.

Mind estimates that one in six workers have a mental health issue such as stress, depression or anxiety. Therefore, ensuring employees have access to an EAP could be a shrewd move for employers.

Paul Farmer added: “It’s more important than ever that businesses invest in staff wellbeing and encourage an open culture where staff can come forward about the pressures they are feeling and be supported.”

Westfield Health is the British Chambers of Commerce (BCC) official health cash plan supplier and its Chamber Primary Health Plan is available to all members of Suffolk Chamber of Commerce.

As well as the EAP, the Chamber Plan provides employees with cash back towards the cost of everyday healthcare such as dental, optical, therapy treatments and diagnostic consultations, as well as fast access to MRI, CT and PET scanning facilities.

Four levels of cover are available – £1.10, £2.20, £4.25 or £6.35 per employee, per week – providing 100 per cent reimbursement on all cash benefits, up to set limits. No medical is required to join and all pre-existing medical conditions are covered for employees (except Personal Accident cover).

For more information, please contact Westfield Health on 0845 602 1629 or visit www.westfieldhealth.com/chamber