Survey finds East Midlands firms face recruitment and retention crisis over poor mental health support

Private healthcare provider Benenden Health found 33 per cent of the region’s companies already have experience of an employee leaving because their mental wellbeing wasn’t cared for, with 22 per cent describing those staff members as “really valuable”.

The research underlined the importance that employees place on mental health provision in the workplace, with 52 per cent of East Midlands workers saying they would seek a new job if their mental wellbeing was not being supported.

Some 57 per cent also said a supportive mental wellbeing policy would increase the likelihood of them joining a new company.

Benenden chief executive Bob Andrews said: “It is concerning that employers in the East Midlands have reported losing good staff due to poor mental wellbeing provision, something that employees clearly consider important. This could be creating a perfect storm for UK businesses.

“The data highlights a missed opportunity for companies to listen to their employees and promote good mental wellbeing within their organisation, as this can have a real positive effect not only on the health of employees but also on absence rates, productivity, recruitment and retention.”

Some 41 per cent of workers surveyed in the East Midlands believe that the mental wellbeing of employees is a big priority for their employer, while 46 per cent of employers said they genuinely care about employees’ mental wellbeing.

But only 51 per cent of local employers said that they have asked employees what they would like to see from the company in terms support – a lack of communication preventing the necessary and appropriate provision of resources.

With 43 per cent of East Midlands workers surveyed saying their job had become more stressful in the last two years, Benenden Health is encouraging businesses in the region to engage with their employees to better understand their requirements.

Bob said: “It’s important that employers don’t just talk the talk, but also put things into practice to support their staff.”

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