Managers struggle to discuss mental health in the workplace, research finds 

More than a third of UK SME decision-makers say managers struggle to talk to staff about mental health, despite mental ill health being the leading cause of workforce absence, according to new research from Unum UK. 

The findings, released on Blue Monday, show that 45 per cent of small and medium-sized employers cite mental health as a key reason for employee time off. Yet 34 per cent of SME decision-makers say managers lack confidence when discussing mental health with employees, rising to 47 per cent in medium-sized organisations. 

The gap in confidence is limiting early intervention, with many employees missing out on timely support that could prevent longer periods of absence. Sickness-related productivity loss linked to mental health is estimated to cost the UK economy £29bn each year. 

Jane Hulme, HR director at Unum UK, said employers are increasingly expected to take the lead on wellbeing, but many managers feel ill-equipped to have difficult conversations. 

“Our research shows managers are struggling to find the right words when it comes to mental health,” she said. “That hesitation can lead to missed opportunities for early support. Training can give managers the confidence to recognise when something is not right and to start conversations that make a difference.” 

Unum’s research highlights the role of manager training alongside access to digital health support. Nearly three quarters (71 per cent) of employees using Help@hand, Unum’s health and wellbeing app, reported improved mental wellbeing after use, while 91 per cent said they felt better after applying strategies discussed during mental health sessions. In the past year, the service facilitated more than 42,000 mental health appointments. 

The findings come as workforce health and absence management move higher up the national agenda. The Government’s Keep Britain Working review found sickness absence has risen 62 per cent compared with pre-pandemic levels, with employees now losing an average of 9.4 working days a year to ill health. 

Hulme said SMEs in particular face growing pressure to act. “For smaller employers, this is a reminder of the critical role they can play in supporting mental wellbeing. Combining manager training with accessible health support can help address one of the UK’s leading causes of absence.”