Industry still blighted by mental health issues

More than a third of employees in the transport and travel sectors are taking time off due to poor mental health.

This is according to new research from not-for-profit healthcare provider, Benenden Health. It found that more than a third (38%) of employees in these sectors took time off work due to poor mental health in 2019, compared to 35% across all sectors, with workers absent for between two and five days on average, costing UK businesses an estimated 4o million individual days of work across all sectors.

The research also revealed that more than a quarter (29%) who missed work for mental health issues told their employers they had a physical issue and the same amount have taken annual leave to avoid any questions or embarrassment.

More than three quarters (76%) of employers in the transport and travel sectors agreed there is a stigma around discussing mental wellbeing at work, while 29% of employers said they don’t know how to identify if an employee is struggling with their mental wellbeing, and only 59% said they would be comfortable talking to employees about their mental health.

Bob Andrews, CEO at Benenden Health, said: “It comes as no great surprise to see that poor mental wellbeing is having such a significant impact on employees and businesses in the transport and travel sectors across the UK, even before the pandemic hit, and something which has likely been exacerbated by the impact of being on the front line during the crisis or struggling with the prospect of unemployment for many in the sector.

“There continues to be a stigma around discussing our mental wellbeing and this is often more prevalent in the workplace than anywhere else. Unfortunately, businesses are too often unable to identify wellbeing issues, employees still feel like they can’t discuss them and there remains a lack of tangible support, all of which contribute to lost time and productivity for businesses as well as unaddressed poor employee wellbeing.

“It isn’t just the transport and travel sectors which are struggling with this issue, and the only way to tackle this is for businesses to prove to their employees that they genuinely care about their wellbeing, foster a culture of openness and provide the necessary internal and external support. By doing this, employers will be rewarded with fewer lost hours, a happier and more productive workforce and a workplace that is attractive to both current and prospective employees.”