Campaign for a mental health at work act

The GMB general union is campaigning for a mental health at work act. This would specify the approach and methods expected of all employers in managing mental health in the workplace. It would require absences due to poor mental health to be reported to the HSE on the same basis as physical injuries.

“Shockingly, almost one in five adults have experienced some form of depression during the pandemic — almost doubling from before the crisis,” said GMB national equality and inclusion officer Nell Andrew. “We urgently need full mental health risk assessments to become the norm, because protecting workers’ mental health is just as vital as protecting physical health.”