Employers have the duty to protect their workers and provide a healthy and safe work environment. Health & safety is both physical and mental. In a recent Canadian study: 82% of responding organizations ranked mental health conditions in their top three causes of short-term disability (72% for long term). Mental health has an impact on the workplace, employers should consider mental health and make reasonable efforts to create a mentally/psychologically healthy & safe work environment for their workers.
A variety of negative workplace factors can contribute to the development of mental health conditions, such as depression and anxiety (the most common mental health conditions in the workplace). These factors can include: inadequate work-life balance, lack of supports & resources, not enough protection from harassment, violence & bullying, poor organizational culture, etc.
Employers should take action and work towards creating a healthy & safe workplace that takes into consideration not only physical health, but mental health. Employers can support their workers by providing resources and information regarding mental health, promoting the importance of mental health, and contributing to the end of stigma.
For more resources on mental health, refer to:
The Mental Health Commission of Canada: https://www.mentalhealthcommission.ca/English
The National Standard for Psychological Health & Safety in the Workplace: https://www.mentalhealthcommission.ca/English/what-we-do/workplace/national-standard
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