Mental Health – What About Other Illnesses?

For those of you who know me, you will be aware I do not mind expressing an opinion that may be at odds with the popular opinion of the day!

Well, I am going to be controversial!

We are being constantly bombarded with Mental Health articles and we have just emerged from a Mental Health Awareness Week. Either I am getting old, and time is flying, or it is a default subject and as such, easy to grab headlines and column inches!

So, if organisations were going to do something, they would have done it by now and those that stick their head in the sand will keep on doing so!

The first area I am looking at, long working hours, could easily be put in the mental health box with the tag ‘burnout’ or ‘Presenteeism’. However, not all people who work long hours suffer from mental health issues, but it is only becoming apparent now that the effects of working long hours of over 55 hours per week regularly can have significant long term health implications.

A recent study conducted by the International Labour Organisation and reported by the World Health Organisation found that working over 55 hours per week was associated with a 35% higher risk of stroke and a 17% higher risk of dying from heart disease, compared with a working week of 35 to 40 hours. The study also showed that three quarters of those that died because of working long hours were middle aged or older men.

As we emerge from lockdown, evidence suggests, in some countries, the hours worked have increased by 10% or more. The report suggested that a third of all work-related disease was caused by working long hours, making it the largest occupational disease burden.

This is one of the drivers why, at Prosperis, we recommend all employers, irrespective of how many employees they have, operate a robust occupational health plan to help them look after the wellbeing of employees.

For more information, call Steve Ellis at 01423 223640 or email us below.