Episode 3, World@Work Managing psychological health and psychosocial risks in the workplace

Ashurst Legal Outlook Podcast

The 2022 World Health Organization's World Mental Health Report states that about one in eight people in the world live with a mental disorder, and globally an estimated 12 billion working days are lost every year to depression and anxiety at a cost of $1 trillion per year in lost productivity.

These statistics present an overwhelming business case for minimising mental health situations arising in the workplace because of their substantial impact on business operations.

Crowley Woodford, Head of Ashurst's European Employment practice is joined by Scarlet Reid, an Employment partner in Australia who specialises in Health and safety, and Eleanor Reeves, a partner who leads the Ashurst's Health and Safety practice in London.

Key takeaways for employers include taking practical steps to mitigate employment and work health and safety claims. Managers should be trained to recognise and address mental health issues and not ignore warning signs. Regular and comprehensive risk assessments should focus on psychological risks, and measures should be taken to mitigate those risks. Engaging with the workforce on work-related stress and listening to their concerns can lead to an action plan to address these issues. Companies can also normalise conversations about mental health and use the ISO 45003 framework to integrate good management practices that can increase resilience, retention, productivity, and reduce sickness absence and claims.

This is not intended to be a comprehensive review of all developments in the law and practice, or to cover all aspects of those referred to. Listeners should take legal advice before applying it to specific issues or transactions.

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