Research has shown that, annually, Scottish employers are losing more than £2 billion as a result of the poor mental health of their employees. In an attempt to tackle the issue and boost mental health in the workplace post-pandemic, the Scottish Government has established a free online platform, Supporting a mentally healthy workplace, which went live on 11 August 2022.
Since the £120 million Mental Health Transition and Recovery Plan was published in October 2020, record levels of investment have been put into mental health support across Scotland. In recognition of the detrimental impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on mental health, the platform brings together different types of assistance and guidance to offer employers practical tools as employees return to the office. Face-to-face training opportunities, specialist third party contacts and guidance on the legal duties of businesses can all be accessed without any cost. The toolkit aims to support employers by creating positive environments and improving the productivity of their workforce.
To complement the platform, the Scottish Government has also set up the See Me in Work portal. It is a free digital tool designed to help transform practices and cultures with the aim of changing the way mental health is treated in workplaces across Scotland. In particular, the programme seeks to address the stigma often attached to mental health and tackle the discrimination associated with it. The portal provides a framework including a four-stage programme which guides employers through self-assessment activities, staff surveys and assistance with producing action plans to achieve positive change in the workplace.
It is hoped that these initiatives will make it easier for employers to access the tools and knowledge for creating a culture of support and wellbeing in their workplaces.
If you have any questions or concerns relating to the topics raised in this blog, please contact a member of the team.
