Workforce Wellbeing Action Plan for Fife launched

Fife Council Supported Employment Service has launched their ‘just ASK LISTEN TALK’ (j:ALT) toolkit. The toolkit offers straightforward no cost solutions to help employers make a positive difference to their business in managing mental health in the workplace.

The ‘Workforce Wellbeing Action Plan for Fife 2019-20’ which was launched by Cllr Altany Craik at the 'Your Workforce is Your Wealth' Seminar on 20th March at the DoubleTree by Hilton Edinburgh Queensferry Crossing. 58 individuals joined us from the private and public sectors.

The event was also attended by Jamie Hepburn, Minister for Business, Fair Work and Skills and David Landles Balfour Beatty Mental Health Champion who spoke about the Mates in Mind programme and his own experience of mental health problems.

In Fife we believe that ‘Good Work is Good for Business’ and we want Fife to be a thriving and inclusive place to live and work. The Workforce Wellbeing Action Plan for Fife supports this goal through working with partners to better promote and coordinate existing support for employers to create mentally healthy workplaces.

The Mental Health Foundation estimate that around 17.5% of the working age population have symptoms of a common mental health problem.[1]

In Fife this means that mental health issues are affecting over 40,000 16 to 64 year olds at any one time.

The cost to business is significant with estimates putting costs at around £1,300 per employee per year.

The good news is that there is lots of support out there, and with a few simple steps, employers can cut those costs by 30% and, with a small investment of time and money, they can be reduced further still.

If you would like to find out more or order your own copy of the toolkit please contact [email protected]