Jump to homepage
Jump to accessibility information page
Jump to main menu link
Jump to sub menu links
Jump to page content
Important note:
The information in this Media section is intended for use by journalists only and customers should not use it to make financial decisions. Please remember that information in past press releases may no longer be current.
The information in this Media section is intended for use by journalists only and customers should not use it to make financial decisions. Please remember that information in past press releases may no longer be current.
RSS news feed
News
30 July 2010
Improving mental health in the workplace
Friends Provident has partnered with Mind to produce a guide for employers aimed at exploding some of the myths that continue to cloud understanding of mental health in today's workplace.
The new guide produced by leading mental health charity, Mind, is designed to help employers understand the nature of mental health problems and includes guidance on how to encourage a mentally healthy working environment.
The partnership with Mind is part of Friends Provident's ongoing commitment to help companies reduce absence in the workplace, following the recent launch of its employee assistance programme. With mental health problems accounting for 29% of all group income protection claims paid out by Friends Provident in 2009, the provider is urging employers to consider how best to address this long-term cause of absence.
A report from the CIPD shows one in five employers reported an increase in mental health problems amongst their employees (including anxiety and depression) in the last 12 months, indicating the growing incidence of this condition in light of the current economic environment.
Declan White, group protection marketing manager, Friends Provident comments:
"It's no secret that growing numbers of us will experience mental health problems in our lifetime. But despite the increased awareness, many employers are still in the dark about how best to support staff to help them either remain in or return to work following any mental health problems. The guide from MIND offers insightful hints and tips for employers and is a must-have for all employers."
Paul Farmer, Chief Executive of Mind adds:
"Mental health problems in the workplace are very common, yet despite the fact that 1 in 6 people of working age will have some kind of mental health issue, few employers have a mental health policy or know how to support staff to stay in work successfully when they're going through a rough patch. Badly managed mental distress costs British business an estimated £26 billion a year, a figure which could be reduced by a third with better mental health and wellbeing support for staff.
"As part of our mentally healthy workplaces campaign, Taking care of business, Mind was keen to team up with Friends Provident to offer businesses a practical guide on how to look after mental health at work, that can help businesses not only create a healthier and happier workforce, but ultimately save money and improve working lives."
- Ends -
Journalists requiring further information should contact:
| Contact name | Company | Contact number |
|---|---|---|
| Emma Wylie | Friends Provident | 0845 268 4909 |
| Keith Nolan | Friends Provident | 0845 641 7835 |
Ref: Ke013
Notes to Editors
About Friends Provident:
Friends Provident was originally founded in 1832 to alleviate the hardship of Quaker families facing misfortune. Friends Provident's strategy today is to operate in markets where it can deploy its award-winning strengths in technology and service to gain competitive advantage. Since its demutualisation in 2001, Friends Provident has developed strong offerings in pensions and protection to complement its historic With Profits business, and now prioritises international growth. Friends Provident is fully committed to the principles of the FSA initiative 'Treating Customers Fairly'.
Friends Provident distributes its products through intermediaries in the UK and around the world. Its key business lines in the UK are protection and corporate pensions. Friends Provident International develops competitive savings, investment and pensions products for a broad and diverse range of markets including Hong Kong, the United Arab Emirates and Germany.
Friends Provident wholly owns the Luxembourg-based company Lombard, a leading pan-European life assurance company which specialises in the use of life assurance as a wealth management solution for high net-worth investors, and Sesame Bankhall Group, a leading UK supplier of intermediary support services to financial advisers providing services to over 7,500 financial advisers across the UK offering life assurance, mortgages and savings arrangements.
Since 5 November 2009 Friends Provident has been part of the Resolution group of companies.
For more information on Friends Provident including, images, awards, fast facts, presentations, and media contacts please visit the media section at www.friendsprovident.com/media
Follow us on twitter: www.twitter.com/friendsnews
Important
- This news service is for information purposes only and does not provide any form of advice, recommendation or financial promotion. Any opinions expressed by third parties are those of the third party concerned and not of Friends Provident. Friends Provident does not accept liability for any errors or omissions or for loss incurred because of reliance on information or opinions given.
- The content of the news items set out above are accurate only as of the date of issue and Friends Provident does not undertake any obligation to update them.