Work can have a positive effect on people's mental health and well being. In addition to financial benefits, work is an important source of support, providing social and information networks, a sense of purpose and personal identity. Work can also have a positive impact on recovery for individuals with mental health problems.
Productivity, performance, attendance, staff retention and morale are all affected when individuals suffer from poor mental health. It is important to recognise the factors that can impact on mental health at work and be proactive about addressing them.
A positive working environment and appropriate support at work has a significant impact on reducing stress-related sickness absence and improving long term outcomes for employees experiencing mental health problems. A positive working environment is essentially about good management practices characterised by respect and value or staff, meaningful consultation, and staff involvement and participation in decision- making.
In April 2007, Healthy Working Lives (HWL) took over from what was Scotland's Health at Work (SHAW). Healthy Working Lives is a free service available throughout Scotland which offers businesses and employees access to:
the Healthy Working Lives Award Programme (formerly Scotland’s Health at Work); advice and information on Occupational Health and Safety (OH&S) issues - contact our free and confidential national adviceline on 08000 19 22 11;
a national website which includes an e-mail enquiry service www.healthyworkinglives.com;
The New Award Organisations with a SHAW award can transfer to the equivalent Bronze, Silver or Gold HWL Award. All they have to do is cover a few additional points of the new programme.
New organisations wishing to take part in the Healthy Working Lives Award can do so now and should call free on 08000 192211 for an information pack. Alternatively, email your expression of interest to healthyworkinglives@health.scot.nhs.uk
See the national website for more information about the new HWL Award Programme.
The new programme covers a wider range of topics so organisations can select those that are most relevant to their workforce. Topics include:
· Health promotion.
· Occupational health and safety.
· Health and the environment.
· Mental health and well-being.
· Community involvement.
· Employability.
For further information on any aspect of the health working lives service in Lanarkshire please call the adviceline on 0800 019 22 11 or visit www.healthyworkinglives.com For local support on addressing mental health in the workplace contact:
Healthy Working Lives Centrum Park Hagmill Road Coatbridge ML5 4TD Tel: 08452 300323 Email: healthyworkinglives@health.scot.nhs.uk