Employers are facing a challenge. Mental ill-health and presenteeism are increasing, costing organisations and the economy billions of pounds. Group risk insurer, Unum’s latest report outlines the success in rehabilitation services that work closely with employers and employees to mitigate claims and allow a speedy return to work.

Employers are facing a challenge. Mental ill-health and presenteeism are increasing – costing organisations and the economy billions of pounds a year¹, even though overall sickness absence rates have fallen to record lows over the past 20 years².

The severity of the problem is underlined by recent statistics from the Health and Safety Executive (HSE), which reveals stress, anxiety or depression now account for more than half (57%) of all days lost to ill-health. Left unchecked, poor mental health at work could have a disastrous impact not only on businesses and the economy, but on a personal and societal level³.

Employers and the government recognise the need to take urgent action, but getting to grips with the factors contributing to mental ill-health can be complex.

In this, the first in a series of reports on what makes a ‘good employer’, Unum examine our own comprehensive rehabilitation services and return to work data to provide insights into the mental health and wellbeing issues facing UK workers today.

Who used Unum’s return to work support

In 2018 more than 7,000 people accessed Unum’s rehabilitation services in the UK. Of these, 1,670 tapped into our dedicated return to work support. Reflecting the HSE’s findings, mental health was the most common concern.

Drawing on Unum’s years of experience and expertise, their report drills deeper into mental health issues and suggests possible strategies employers can use to help ensure good mental health in the workplace.

You can download your own copy of the Unum report here.

Notes: 

1. Thriving at Work: The Stevenson/Farmer review of mental health and employers, 2017, pg.20
2. Office for National Statistics, Sickness absence falls to the lowest rate on record, 2019
3. HSE, Health and Safety at Work: Summary statistics for Great Britain 2018, pg.3