The Employment Law & HR Podcast

Mental Health: An interview with the experts 

Mental Health of employees is a difficult subject for employers to tackle and there are a number of implications of getting it wrong. In this mini series I will be focusing on Mental Health at Work and providing some hints, tips and legal advice for employers. This is the final episode in the series and I interview Ian Smith and Gill Hepburn from the italk Employment Team who are specialists in providing support and guidance to employees having difficulties at work as a result of or related to mental health conditions.

In this episode we will cover:

  • What the italk service is and who they help;
  • Guidance and tips for employers and employees;
  • Why mental health training for managers and supervisors is important;
  • Causes of issues at work;
  • Tips for employees who have mental health conditions;
  • Discussion on why more employees are diagnosed with mental health conditions as a result of work;
  • Why employers should know what their own policies and procedures say about mental health at work;
  • Resources and ideas for employers.

Resources for you

  1. www.italk.org.uk
  2. italk Employment Service
  3. Mindful Employer - www.mindfulemployer.net
  4. Mind - Free resources for Employers 
  5. Find Psychological Therapies near you
  6. Legal and practical help for employers is available from the Real Employment Law Team why not give us a call and let an expert take care of it for you 023 8098 2006 or 01983 897003.
Direct download: Interview_with_Gill_and_Ian_-_Episode_78.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 2:00pm EDT

Mental Health: Best Practice for Employers 

Mental Health of employees is a difficult subject for employers to tackle and there are a number of implications of getting it wrong. In this mini series I will be focusing on Mental Health at Work and providing some hints, tips and legal advice for employers. The focus in this episode is best practice and what steps you can take to be a better employer.

In this episode I will cover:

  • Some of the reasons why employers behave badly or handle employees with mental health conditions poorly;
  • Tips for Employers to be better including;
  1. Creating a culture of acceptance and communication;
  2. Encourage communication and openness;
  3. Taking steps to reassure staff and make them feel appreciated;
  4. Consider and make workplace adjustments;
  5. Having good management of absence processes.
  • This episode also includes some ideas for best practice & going the extra mile for your employees.

Action Points

  1. Think about the culture in your organisation, what do your managers, supervisors and staff know about mental health and how do they feel dealing with employees who have a mental health condition;
  2. Consider implementing or making at least one change in your business;
  3. Seek advice and assistance to ensure the best practice in your business;
  4. I can help with all of the points above so why not give me a call and let an expert take care of it for you 023 8098 2006 or 01983 897003.

 


 

Would you like advice about your situation?

Appointments are available on the telephone or via Skype throughout the UK.

Alternatively we offer face to face appointments on the Isle of Wight, in Eastleigh, Southampton, Salisbury, Fareham, Portsmouth, Winchester and surrounding areas in Hampshire.

Direct download: Episode_77.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 5:42am EDT

 Mental Health & Disability 

Mental Health of employees is a difficult subject for employers to tackle and there are a number of implications of getting it wrong. In this mini series I will be focusing on Mental Health at Work and providing some hints, tips and legal advice for employers. The focus in this episode is the legal implications and requirements of employers.

In this episode I will cover:

  • The definition of disability and how it applies to mental health;
  • The distinction between disability and stress at work or work related stress conditions;
  • Who has the burden of proving disability;
  • The importance of medical advice and opinion;
  • Implied knowledge of disability and when an employer will have implied knowledge;
  • Employer's obligations to a disabled employee;
  • Types of reasonable adjustments for a disabled employee with a mental impairment.

Action Points

  1. Discuss with any employees who display signs of mental health issues or long term health conditions;
  2. Provide support and systems in place for identifying reasonable adjustments for employees;
  3. Encourage employees to disclose medical conditions;
  4. Seek advice and assistance to ensure the best practice in your business;
  5. I can help with all of the points above so why not give me a call and let an expert take care of it for you 023 8098 2006 or 01983 897003.
Direct download: episode_76.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 9:27am EDT

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