HR Articles

Today is World Mental Health Day, and the focus this year is mental health at work.

The Prime Minister recently announced a raft of changes, to be implemented in the next parliament, aimed at reducing the number of people who are economically inactive due to illness.

Mental health first aid bill (MHFA) presented to parliament may not become law, but HR would likely welcome the change. Giving Mental Health First Aid and Physical First Aid recognition in the eyes of the law would be an important demonstration of employers taking account of their peoples’ physical and mental health. 

Research of Tommy's (a UK charity researching the causes and prevention of pregnancy complications, miscarriage, stillbirth, premature birth and neonatal death) found that sadly it is estimated that 1 in 4 pregnancies end in loss.

The menopause is a natural part of ageing which affects most women and also trans and non-binary people who may not identify as women.

ACAS have updated their guidance on the practice of suspending an employee during investigations at work.

A change in the law from 1 July 2022 increases opportunities for employees to be signed off work when sick. Nurses, occupational therapists, pharmacists and physiotherapists can now sign statements of fitness for work, also known as GP’s fit notes. This change has been brought in to ease the burden on GPs.

From this week, people in England identified by NHS Test and Trace as being in contact of someone testing positive for COVID-19 are now able to opt in to take part in a trial of daily lateral flow device testing as an alternative to self-isolation.

Lockdown restrictions are set to be eased further on 17 May 2021, and many employers are beginning to welcome their employees back to the workplace. While it is understandable that employers will be focused on protecting their employees’ physical health, ensuring that its workplace is Covid-19 secure, consideration should also be given to how employers can safeguard their employees’ mental health.

The April 2021 statutory maternity, paternity and sick pay rates have been released by the Government. The increases are modest at less than £1 per week.