Cambridgeshire council reflect on rise in stress absence

Printed:
1:19 PM July 3, 2022



Up-to-date:
1:24 PM July 3, 2022

Nervousness, psychological well being, depression and tension are attributed to a rise in the amount of times taken off by staff at Cambridgeshire County Council. 

A report to the council’s approach and methods committee suggests that as of March 2022, the typical personnel has taken a few times for each yr off owing to panic, mental wellbeing, despair or stress.  

“This enhance in absence similar to nervousness, mental wellness, depression and stress can be linked to a typical maximize in absence through the pandemic, all through the last two decades,” says the report.  

An personnel assistance scheme (EAP) which supports psychological overall health situation has found an over-all raise of 35 per cent of phone calls to the services in March 21-Feb 22, in comparison with the previous year of April 20- March 21. 

EAP is accessible on an app and provides guidance entry, such as are living chat and the particulars of the helpline, 24 hours a day and 365 times a yr. 

Workers were not long ago reminded everyone that this can also be accessed by dependent spouse and children customers as well 

Involved in the top rated 4 good reasons for calling ended up ‘anxiety,’ (201 calls) ‘low mood’ (119) and ‘depression’ (47).  

Individuals contacting for ‘bereavement’ aid also greater by 83 for every cent in 21-22, which the report notes “could also be linked to the pandemic.  

“At the begin of EAP treatment all through April 20- March 21, 5 per cent of workers have been out of operate, and half (2.5 per cent) returned by the finish of treatment.  

“This yr (March 21-Feb 22) 19.35 per cent of personnel accessing the counselling were out of perform and 8 per cent returned to get the job done soon after the conclusion of therapy”. 

The council claims it is performing to build a bespoke referral route for social care colleagues to entry enhanced aid for disorders influencing their psychological health and wellbeing.  

And it has doubled the range of skilled Psychological Overall health First Aiders (MHFAs). 

“Fifty staff volunteers present a non-judgemental listening ear and signposting to other resources of aid,” says the report.  

Section of the report also notes that personnel turnover in all areas of the council has enhanced in the very last calendar year, similar to most organisations.  

The council says it is recruiting a retention advisor in the recruitment team inside HR Companies. This role will have a aim on social treatment (kid’s and grown ups).