Employers urged to take action as workplace stress levels rise

THE number of people in Wales suffering from work-related stress has rocketed in the past four years, new figures have revealed.

Statistics from the annual Labour Force Survey (LFS) show that the number of Welsh cases of self-reported work-related stress, depression or anxiety increased from 19,000 in 2012 to 27,000 in 2016. In 2015-16 there was an average rate of 1,800 cases of stress-related illness for every 100,000 employers in Wales – significantly higher than the UK average.

Experts believe the rise in the figures could reflect improvements in people’s openness about their mental health problems.

Illness caused or made worse by work in Wales – including stress, anxiety and depression – cost an estimated £484m in 2014-15 alone. Researchers found that stress was more prevalent in public service industries such as education, health and social care, and public administration and defence. The Welsh Ambulance Service has the highest levels of stress-related illness of any other group of NHS employees.

Sara Moseley, director of Mind Cymru, claims the actual work-related stress figures may be higher.

She said: “Stress can affect lots of people at work, and this can lead to poor mental health, an increase in absence and an unhappy workforce.

“Employers need to focus on looking after the wellbeing of their staff. People may say they’re off with a physical health problem to hide stress or anxiety, but it’s important to be open so that employers can take action.”

In the UK as a whole, the total number of cases of work-related stress, depression or anxiety in 201516 was 488,000, a prevalence rate of 1,510 per 100,000 workers.

The total number of working days lost due to these conditions in 201516 was 11.7 million days.

This corresponds to an average of 23.9 days lost for each case. In 201516, stress accounted for 45% of all working days lost due to ill-health

Sara added: “We know that forward-thinking organisations who make mental health a priority report having more engaged, productive staff, who are less likely to need to take time off sick.

“If the reason for calling in sick is stress or mental health-related, this should be viewed as a valid reason for sickness absence.

“Staff who need to take time off work because of stress and depression should be treated the same as those who take days off for physical health problems such as back pain.”

Last year the Welsh Government launched its Together for Mental Health delivery plan for 2016-19.

It calls on communities and organisations in Wales to improve the mental wellbeing of all residents in Wales, from those who require minimal support to those with a severe and enduring mental illness.

Speaking at the launch of the plan, Health Secretary Vaughan Gething said: “We know the stigma often experienced around mental health continues to be a major challenge.

“Ending mental health discrimination is a commitment in our new Programme for Government and the new delivery plan places even greater emphasis on tackling stigma and discrimination.”