Links with other policies/procedures
[ch 6: page 31]A key part of ensuring that an organisation’s written policy on mental health is pursued in practice is to ensure that any of its workplace policies and procedures which have a bearing on people’s mental health are reviewed and adjusted appropriately. Examples are recruitment procedures, grievance, disciplinary and capability procedures and sickness absence procedures. In addition, where there is an absence of policies that can foster mental wellbeing, such as on flexible working or bullying and harassment, consideration should be given to developing them. The mental health policy should include a commitment along these lines and set out those policies which are linked.
Unions at The National Lottery Community Fund have been working to get the employer to “refresh” a number of its policies, such as its flexible working and capability policies, to ensure they are supportive to staff experiencing mental health issues.
Chapter 8 looks at some of the policies and procedures which might need to be reviewed in this way, so that they help foster mental wellbeing and accommodate staff with mental health problems.