Concern over home working risk failure

UNIONS have raised an alarm over “low levels of trust” between workers and employers in

Scotland as a new study found nearly half have been offered no form of risk assessment for working at home.

The Scottish Trades Union Congress (STUC) surveyed over a thousand workers and found that the Covid-19 crisis has exacerbated a pre-existing lack of trust in employers when it comes to disclosing mental health conditions.

As precautionary measures have been taken to reduce the spread of Covid-19, many Scots have found themselves asked to work from home.

But the STUC say their research has found that most workers do not trust their employers in relation to supporting their mental health

It says its survey shows 43 per cent of people have been offered no form of risk assessment and that most people do not feel supported by their employer when disclosing that they are battling poor mental health.

Some 47% do not even feel comfortable disclosing any issues to their employer.

And over two in three people who have disclosed they have a mental health issue or illness were offered no form of reasonable adjustment for their condition.

STUC general secretaery Roz Foyer said: “Our survey results should be a stark wake up call to employers. As we continue through a difficult winter, many workers will be feeling isolated, stressed and anxious. Many people’s usual coping mechanisms are not available to them, and for many the heightened pressure will spill over into their work lives.

“Employers must work to build up trust with staff. This should include transparent workplace policies regarding mental health, decent sick pay and leave.”