A LEADING Cheshire-based business leader says tech firms can still do “much more” to support the mental health and wellbeing of their staff.
Roy Shelton, the chair of the Chester Business Club, also believes it is particularly important for companies working in the sector to be on “red alert” to the heightened risks of staff illnesses due to the rising levels now operating remotely or in hybrid teams.
Mr Shelton, the CEO of the Business Connectivity and Managed Services firm the Connectus Group, said: “It’s important that mental wellbeing is placed on an equal footing with physical wellbeing.
“If you broke your arm or your leg you’d go straight to A&E for treatment. Yet too many people going through a mental health crisis at home or at work still feel afraid to tell their employer or their GP.
“It’s important companies take a lead in this area because often telling your boss can be the first step to making a change which helps set you on the path to recovery.
“There is a particular problem in the tech sector where many of us are now working remotely or in a hybrid environment away from colleagues.
“That’s why it’s important to ensure you build in measures to remote models that check in on staff and make sure they are doing OK. Businesses really need to be on red alert to this issue.”
Mr Shelton said his company, based in Doncaster, is offering free mental health counselling for staff.
They’re also working with all SME clients, and providing them with free training on TEAMS.
In the coming weeks, Mr Shelton said Connectus will also be donating 50 community tickets to local mental health charities to visit the AJ Bell Stadium in Salford to watch a Sale Sharks game of their choice.
He added: “World Mental Health Day is a great moment to celebrate the steps we have taken but also to think about how much further we still need to go.
“One employee suffering in silence with a mental health condition is too many. The stigma has to end.”
