Managing Mental Health in the Workplace: What Employers Need to Know

Mental health isn’t just a personal issue — it’s a workplace one.

In the UK and Ireland, mental health conditions are now among the leading causes of long-term sickness absence, costing businesses millions annually in lost productivity, cover costs, and staff turnover.

At CheckAtWork, we help employers build practical, compliant, and compassionate approaches to supporting mental health — both through proactive screening and ongoing workplace culture change.

Here’s what every employer should know.

1. The Growing Impact of Poor Mental Health at Work

Common conditions like stress, anxiety, depression, and burnout can lead to:

Reduced focus and engagement
Increased sick leave or presenteeism
Higher turnover
Workplace conflict
Safety risks in high-pressure or manual roles

The stigma around mental health still exists — but ignoring it costs more.

2. Your Legal & Ethical Responsibilities

Employers have a duty of care under both UK and Irish law to protect employee health — including mental health.

This includes:

Identifying and reducing workplace stress risks
Making reasonable adjustments for those with mental health conditions
Providing access to occupational health services when needed

Failure to act can result in legal claims, HR disputes, or reputational damage.

3. How Health Screening Supports Mental Wellbeing

Mental health often goes undetected in standard conversations. That’s why screening helps.

At CheckAtWork, our health assessments include:

Stress and fatigue questionnaires
Lifestyle and burnout indicators
Sleep quality and energy metrics
Optional onward referral to GPs or mental health professionals

Screenings are confidential and focused on early identification and signposting — not judgment.

4. Building a Supportive Mental Health Culture

Beyond screening, great employers foster mental wellbeing through:

Flexible work options where possible
Mental health first aiders or peer champions
Training for managers on recognising early warning signs
Clear signposting to internal and external support services
Open dialogue and zero stigma policies

Employees who feel psychologically safe are more loyal, engaged, and productive.

5. CheckAtWork’s Approach to Mental Health

We believe mental health screening should be:

Integrated into your overall health programme
Tailored to job role and working conditions
Actionable, with reporting that supports HR planning

Whether you want to screen frontline workers for stress or offer senior staff full executive wellness checks, we help you lead from the front.

Final Word

Supporting mental health isn’t just the right thing to do — it’s a smart investment in your people, your culture, and your long-term success.

Let CheckAtWork help you build a workplace where mental wellbeing is part of the plan, not an afterthought.

Need help with mental health screening or strategy?
Speak to our team — we’re here to support you and your people.