Eighty-six percent of people working from home have or would like to have better access to mental health support from their employer.

Gallagher reveals that many UK firms could be inadvertently overlooking homeworkers’ mental health and neglecting their duty of care to employees working from home, which could result in employee liability claims against them. Research amongst 1,000 business leaders and 2,000 UK workers found businesses have focused on the logistical aspects of working from home and less on their duty of care for employees’ mental health.

Under health and safety at work regulations, employers are responsible for the health and safety of employees, even when they are not working on company premises, but 31% of business leaders are completely unaware of this and 58% say they are unsure of their responsibilities for employees’ mental health while working from home. Two in five employees working from home during the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic have received no mental health support from their employer.

Dan Crook, Protection Sales Director, Canada Life, comments: “As we mark twelve months of working from home, it’s clear that the effects of national lockdowns have taken their toll on the state of the nation’s mental health. Alongside the practical challenges of setting up employees to work from their homes, many people have also been juggling homeschooling and childcare or struggling with a sense of isolation.

We need to encourage people to take the time to support each other, regardless of whether they are in the office or a virtual environment. Simple measures such as speaking about the weekend can go a long way and help employees to feel more connected. Employers’ people management plans should also be focused on supporting their employees’ mental wellbeing, especially as we transition through more changes in working arrangements and gradually readjust to working in the office. Mental health and wellbeing support is now commonplace within group protection schemes and employers should help employees access and utilise such support systems.”