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UNI Europa launches Guidelines on mental health at work



During a conference in Brussels on 14 and 15^th October 2010, UNI Europa and its social partner in the telecom sector, ETNO, presented Good Practice Guidelines on how to improve the mental well-being of workers in the sector. The Guidelines are based on a study carried out by the Institute of Occupational Medicine in the framework of a joint UNI Europa and ETNO project in the telecom social dialogue.



Mental illness is now the most common cause of ill health in the EU and therefore has a significant economic impact. When sickness absence is examined, research suggests that between 50% and 60% of all work days lost are linked to occupational stress. Estimates from 2002 suggest that the total cost of this in EU-15 was €20 million each year. At country level estimates put this for France at between €830 million to €1,656 million; in Germany, €3,000 million; the Netherlands €6,000 million and the UK £530 million.



More than 120 delegates from industry, trade unions and the EU Institutions gathered for the

Good Work Good Health conference, during which the main findings of the study were unveiled. The Guidelines and the evidence review identify work factors associated with impaired mental health, including enhanced mental well-being, as well as work arrangements shown to mitigate the effects of or facilitate the rehabilitation of people with mental illness. Employment aspects such as organisational structure, flexible working, personal development, communication and relationship management were also analysed.

The study also highlights a number of positive examples of telecom company initiatives from across Europe that demonstrate how problems can be avoided and how employees who become unwell can be best supported.



As European social partners in the telecoms sector, UNI Europa and ETNO highlighted the importance of better addressing the mental well-being of employees in the sector. The new Good Practice Guidelines are intended to provide telecom companies with concrete examples of good practice. The Guidelines are voluntary for the telecommunications operators throughout Europe and are available electronically in twelve languages including: English, French, German, Spanish, Czech, Polish, Italian, Romanian, Portuguese, Greek, Swedish and Estonian. The full Good Work Good Health Evidence review study is available in English, French and German at www.gwgh.eu.



During the conference, UNI Europa delegates highlighted the importance of a clear commitment of telecom companies to concretely implement the Good Practice Guidelines in order to improve working conditions for employees in the long run.