Work and mental health are closely intertwined. As many people spend the majority of their time at work, addressing mental health in the workplace is essential. Unions play a significant role in this effort.
The World Health Organization (WHO) defines mental health as a state of well-being where individuals realize their potential, cope with normal life stresses, work productively, and contribute to their community.
Risks to mental health in the workplace, also known as psychosocial risks, include under-use of skills or being under-skilled for work, excessive workloads or work pace, understaffing, long, unsocial, or inflexible hours, unsafe or poor physical working conditions, and violence, harassment, or bullying.
Psychosocial risks are increasingly prevalent, even among white-collar workers, due to new technologies and accelerated work rhythms. A staggering 88 percent of EU workers have experienced work-related stress. According to Eurocadres, 60 percent of lost working days are due to work-related stress and psychosocial risks.
Armelle Seby, director for white-collar workers, says:
“Mental health is still often misunderstood, under-resourced, and deprioritized when compared with physical health. Legislations over psychosocial risks and duties of employers are often not sufficient. Furthermore, individuals with mental health conditions are often stigmatized, discriminated against, and excluded. The widespread stigma creates a barrier. Some employers may be reluctant to hire people with mental health conditions, and some workers may hesitate to disclose or seek help because they fear adverse career repercussions.”
Even though protecting workers’ mental health is part of employers’ duty of care, trade unions can significantly reduce workplace mental health issues. It’s important for unions to understand these risks and know how to address them. Unions can collaborate with employers to assess risks, reorganize the work environment, and advocate for training managers on mental health issues.
Global Unions and Organizations Collaborate on Workplace Mental Health Guidelines
Work and mental health are closely linked. Since many people spend the majority of their time at work, addressing mental health in the workplace is essential. Unions play an important role in this effort.
Armelle Seby, director for white-collar workers, says:
“Mental health is still often misunderstood, under-resourced, and deprioritized compared with physical health. Legislations on psychosocial risks and employers’ duties are often insufficient. Furthermore, individuals with mental health conditions are often stigmatized, discriminated against, and excluded. The widespread stigma creates a barrier. Some employers may be reluctant to hire people with mental health conditions. Some workers may hesitate to disclose or seek help because they fear adverse career repercussions.”
Trade Unions’ Vital Role in Addressing Workplace Mental Health
While protecting workers’ mental health is part of employers’ duty of care, trade unions play a crucial role in reducing workplace mental health issues. It’s vital for unions to grasp these risks and understand how to address them. They can collaborate with employers to assess risks, reorganize the work environment, and advocate for training managers on mental disorders.
The WHO and the International Labour Organization (ILO) have developed guidelines for trade unions. These encompass planned actions targeting working conditions to prevent deterioration in mental or physical health. They also involve assessing and modifying, mitigating, or removing psychosocial risks to mental health.
ILO’s fundamental Conventions on Occupational Health and Safety (OHS), and the Promotional Framework for Occupational Safety and Health Convention aim to safeguard both physical and mental health. These Conventions establish a systems approach to OSH management, defining key responsibilities, duties, and rights. They highlight the complementary roles of governments, employers, and workers in creating safe and healthy working environments.
Global Trade Unions Tackle Workplace Mental Health Challenges Through Guidance and Advocacy
Trade unions like Unite the Union in the UK, or USW in Canada, have devised their own guidelines to support their members. They aid shop stewards, health and safety reps, and members in addressing mental health issues and discrimination at work. Additionally, they advocate and negotiate for good mental health practices.
Unions in Singapore actively engage in a tripartite advisory on mental well-being in response to escalating workplace mental health issues. Comprising the Ministry of Manpower (MOM), National Trades Union Congress (NTUC), and Singapore National Employers Federation (SNEF), this advisory offers practical guidance for employers to support their employees’ mental well-being. It provides resources accessible to employers, employees, and self-employed individuals.
These measures encompass conducting surveys to gauge overall well-being and work stressors, appointing workplace mental well-being champions to advocate for policy implementation, and developing activities, programs, and resources to enhance employees’ mental health. Additionally, it establishes referral systems for distressed individuals, reviews HR and workplace policies, and implements return-to-work policies for employees recovering from mental health conditions.
“In Singapore and within our union, we view mental health as a workplace safety and health concern. We conduct workshops for workers and union representatives, providing online and offline resources to assist them in maintaining their mental health. Our mental wellness workshops educate workers on stress coping mechanisms, including exercise and fitness classes to promote physical fitness and stress relief.”
Trade Unions Worldwide Addressing Mental Health Challenges in the Workplace
Patrick Tay Teck Guan from the National Trades Union Congress and co-chair for the white-collar workers sector at IndustriALL emphasizes the importance of addressing how working from home can impact mental health.
The French union CFE-CGC métallurgie is actively measuring workload to identify potential overload that could affect employees’ mental and physical health. They focus on regulating and preventing future overload.
Corinne Schewin, from CFE-CGC métallurgie and white-collar sector co-chair, highlights the union representatives’ role in assessing workers’ mental well-being across departments. They monitor sleep patterns, evaluate work environments, and collaborate with HR departments to support managers in need. Additionally, company collective agreements include clauses protecting workers’ mental health, addressing work quality and conditions.
Armelle Seby stresses the importance of trade unions in workplace mental health risk management. They prioritize actions, develop action plans, and monitor and evaluate these plans. Trade unions aim to enhance understanding of mental health, reduce stigma, encourage help-seeking behaviors, combat workplace harassment, and support individuals with mental health conditions.