Mental Health At Work

CIPD and solicitors from Willans’ employment law team co-organised a panel of experts to discuss mental health in the workplace. The event took place at the University of Gloucestershire Park Campus in Cheltenham and was held in the same week as the nation was asked to recognise mental illness via the World Mental Health Day (10 October).

The panel consisted of Simon Wall of CIPD (Chartered Institute of Personal Development), Dr Charlie Vivian of Icarus Health Solutions, Laura Davis of Willans’, Bev Jones from Awaken and Nick Gazzard of the Hollie Gazzard Trust. They were asked to engage the room and discuss a proactive approach to mental health from the position of an employer and employee, as well as from the industry, health and legal perspectives.

Nick Gazzard shared his thoughts from a programme he is rolling out across the region called ‘Working Without Fear’, about the effects in the workplace that domestic abuse and stalking has on both the employer and the employee.

Given the stigma surrounding domestic abuse, it’s difficult for employers to know what to do, while employees have a fear of disclosure, worrying that they will lose their jobs if senior management are aware of what’s going on in their personal lives. However, employers have legal responsibilities towards their staff and where necessary should seek the support of external specialists in order to train line managers.

Nick Gazzard is also talking at a Mental Health in Education Event on the 9th November, at Hatherley Manor Hotel, organised by Richard Levinge, Director of Ease Training Ltd. This event will offer teachers, heads and those involved in pastoral care, the opportunity to listen to experts discuss this increasingly prevalent topic. Click here for more information on this event: www.easetraining.co.uk