Mental well-being is a workplace priority

On the occasion of World Mental Health Day, IOE provides a concrete overview of why workplace mental health policies are critical and what are the obstacles to develop and implement them.

Mental health is one of the toughest challenges to individual well-being and productivity. For the International Organisation of Employers (IOE) and its global network of over 150 employers’ organisations in over 150 countries, risks of poor mental health at work remain a deep-seated legacy of the Covid-19 pandemic.

IOE has published a short brief for employers offering an introduction into why mental health in the workplace matters and the elements needed to address the issue. According to the new brief, a safe and healthy working environment supports mental health, and good mental health enables people to work productively and safely. Yet, the prevalence of mental health problems in the workplace affects millions of workers and costs trillions of dollars globally and is pervasive in all economies; developed, developing and under-developed. The IOE MH brief explains that businesses together with workers can achieve mental wellbeing by embedding mental health as an essential element into existing OSH Management Systems to effectively identify, assess and mitigate psychosocial risks.

This IOE brief is part of a larger effort by the organisation to assist employers with taking practical measures to protect the well-being of staff at work. Soon-to-be-published documents include a more detailed guide for employers on critical elements to integrate into mental health policies and action plans.