A SWINDON specialist on workplace mental health and jobs law asks businesses to learn about the subject to avoid potential problems in the future.
Lauren Harkin, a senior associate at Withy King, said: “In the past ten years the employment law implications regarding mental health in the workplace and the duty of care employers have towards their staff have changed significantly.
“All too often employers fail to appreciate the impact that stress, anxiety and depression can have on an employee – and the damage it can cause to their brand reputation and as a result lower productivity.
“I strongly urge all Swindon businesses to attend the Mental health@work event being staged by the Swindon Mindful Employer Network on March 1, which helps employers avoid the pitfalls and to be more aware of the legal implications of an overly stressed environment.”
Mental health@work will take place on Tuesday, March 1 at Arclite House – the HQ of Excalibur Communications.
Lauren will be joined by James Phipps, chief executive of Excalibur, who has offered his support to the network by staging the best practice session.
Guest speakers include Dr Donna Lovell and Suzanne Baxter of Swindon Mind, who will present a taster session from the popular Mental Health First Aid courses on anxiety.
Lisa Monis of Work Smart Work Savvy will explore the approach managers should adopt when handling workforce stress, while Melanie Richens, chair of the Swindon Mindful Employer Network, will welcome delegates and introduce guest speakers.
Melanie believes firms need to put mental health at work best practice at the top of their corporate list of New Year resolutions. She said: “Our event highlights employment law implications and workplace stress but also provides best practice for mental health at work and advice to local employers in an informal environment."
“This is a perfect forum to share experience and increase understanding of this important subject.”
Places for this event are available for representatives of Swindon employers only. Booking is essential.
Contact: smen@swindonmind.org
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