Mental ill health costs UK employers more than £25bn a year, a report by the Sainsbury Centre for Mental Health has claimed.

Mental Health at Work: Developing the business case said the cost was equivalent to £1,000 per employee in the workforce.

On any given day, one worker in five will experience mental distress, the report said. Mental health problems accounted for 40% of sickness absence from work.

Bob Grove, Sainsbury Centre employment programme director, said: "Employers need to be aware of mental health as it affects every workplace in the UK. It is a normal part of the human condition. Yet most employers vastly under-estimate how many of their staff will have mental health problems.

"Employers who take effective action to improve the wellbeing of their staff will reap the rewards for their efforts," the report said.
Mike Berry
www.PersonnelToday.com
Monday, 07 January 2008