26 per cent of bosses could not spot a worker suffering from stress

More than a quarter of business leaders have said that they would not been able to spot if a member of their staff were ill or suffering from stress or depression during working hours.

New research from private health provider Bupa found that 26 per cent of company bosses are clueless when it comes to their employees wellbeing despite it being likely to cost them thousands of pounds each year in absence and lost productivity.

On top of that 41 per cent of small business owners admitted that they never speak to their staff about their physical or mental health.

The research also shows that one in three bosses (30 per cent) believe that it is not their business to get involved in a situation involving an employee even though a large proportion of a person’s stresses are work-related.

Bupa has launched a new stress management service which hopes will encourage businesses to identify the symptoms of workplace stress and raise the issue before it leads to major problems down the line.

Bupa said the scheme, if used effectively, can reduce business disruption and increase staff productivity as well as their general wellbeing.

Tony Wood, Sales and Marketing Director at Bupa said: “Stress is a huge issue for small businesses, with owners and employees alike often taking on multiple roles and committing massive emotional investment into the business.

“The pace at which many small businesses have to work, especially in a struggling economy, means that health can be overlooked in the drive to get things done. It’s never easy to tackle personal issues with employees, but a workplace environment that champions open lines of communication can prevent issues from snowballing.”

He added that the biggest challenge anyone faces in the workplace is addressing the stigma which often comes with mental illness.