03/10/2024

Mental Health & The Law: Five Rules You Should Be Aware Of

Mental Health & The Law: Five Rules You Should Be Aware Of
Mental Health & The Law: Five Rules You Should Be Aware Of

Having good mental health in the workplace is essential to improving productivity and keeping costs down, but it’s also something that is regulated by law. Society as a whole is taking a more proactive approach to recognising and improving mental health and employers are now legally obliged to follow set regulations in order to safeguard those in their employ.

It is important to be aware of the regulations in place so that you know the rights of your staff when it comes to stress and mental wellbeing at work and protect yourself from potential legal actions. Knowing the regulations and requirements is also the first steo to tackling mental illness in the workplace, better supporting your colleagues and enhancing the productivity and morale of your team.

The Equality Act 2010

This is the written law that prevents discrimination within the workplace, in everyday life, and within educational settings. It protects individuals with a disability from being discriminated against. To be protected under this act, the mental health condition has to be considered a disability, meaning it presents additional challenges, has a moderate effect on day-to-day life, and has lasted for a year or more.

Disclosure of Mental Health Issues

When applying for a job, employers cannot ask for mental health records and your staff do not need to disclose this at any time throughout their employment with you. However, it is well worth taking all measures you can to make a safe and accepting environment where your staff feel they can discuss and disclose their issues without judgement.

Employer’s Duty of Care

Employers do have a duty of care in providing a safe working environment, which extends to supporting each employee’s mental wellbeing. Therefore, as well as not discriminating against staff, it is important to consider what reasonable adjustments can be made to benefit your staff such as changing shift patterns or providing more one-on-one support.

Absence Due to Mental Health

As an employer, any absences due to mental health should be taken seriously. Overall in the UK, it is estimated that mental health costs employers £26 billion per annum and has a huge impact on productivity. When a staff member calls in sick with poor mental wellbeing, this needs to be treated with support and taken as seriously as a physical ailment.

Thriving at Work Standards

In 2017, a review of mental health in the workplace called Thriving at Work was commissioned to see how employers could better support the mental health of their staff. The standards aim to implement a plan to encourage healthy mental wellbeing and raise awareness by making resources easily accessible to all employees and providing solid guidelines for employers to follow.

What steps are you taking to improve mental health and wellbeing at your place of work? I’d love to know!

Avatar of Scott Dylan
Written by
Scott Dylan
Join the discussion

Scott Dylan

Scott Dylan

Avatar of Scott Dylan

Scott Dylan

Scott Dylan is the Co-founder of Inc & Co and Founder of NexaTech Ventures, a seasoned entrepreneur, investor, and business strategist renowned for his adeptness in turning around struggling companies and driving sustainable growth.

As the Co-Founder of Inc & Co, Scott has been instrumental in the acquisition and revitalization of various businesses across multiple industries, from digital marketing to logistics and retail. With a robust background that includes a mix of creative pursuits and legal studies, Scott brings a unique blend of creativity and strategic rigor to his ventures. Beyond his professional endeavors, he is deeply committed to philanthropy, with a special focus on mental health initiatives and community welfare.

Scott's insights and experiences inform his writings, which aim to inspire and guide other entrepreneurs and business leaders. His blog serves as a platform for sharing his expert strategies, lessons learned, and the latest trends affecting the business world.

Newsletter

Make sure to subscribe to my newsletter and be the first to know about my news and tips.