A study by the Chartered Institute of Personnel and Development has found that an increasing amount of sickness leave is due to depression or stress. The study finds that mental illness is now the second largest reason for UK workers. Staff personnel with depression were said to take an average of 30 days off a year. Those under stress were reported to be away for 21 days. The study states that it is the public sector workers who are more likely to take time off work because of mental illness. And among them, the problem is more prevalent among older staff. The CIPD in its report said the latest findings would worry the government more, in light of a huge surge in the figure of people with mental health problems claiming their incapacity benefits. This research shows how important it is for managers and HR practitioners to be aware of the signs of mental ill health so that they can take action early and provide support before the individual’s condition deteriorates to the point they go off on long-term sick leave, said Ben Willmott, CIPD employee relations adviser. Government should provide tax incentives to persuade more corporations to offer occupational health services to the staff, so that they work more closely with employers to spot opportunities for phased return-to-work for those affected with less demanding or reduced hours roles. Image Via:BBC