Alasdair Hobbs, of Human Results, says: “From an employer’s perspective, mental health often gets overlooked until someone goes off sick, and if they are off for more than a couple of weeks with work-related stress, all of the statistics show they are unlikely to return.

Here at Human Results, we are strong believers and advocates of apprenticeship schemes. There are many benefits to taking on an apprentice, but what we urge companies not to do is look at it as cheap labour for the length of time of apprenticeship. It actually costs more long term and doesn’t install staff loyalty.

Here at Human Results, we are celebrating our 20th anniversary this year – after doubling in size in the space of a few years.

Here at Human Results, we are celebrating our 20th anniversary this year – after doubling in size in the space of a few years.

The core of our retained service to companies includes making sure their paperwork is straight, drafting contracts of employment, offer letters and employment policies, helping with the difficult decisions around dismissals, redundancy, restructuring, service provision changes, chairing difficult meetings and dispute resolution, including tribunal litigation.

Studies have shown that after a couple of weeks’ absence, one out of five employees will stay off work for an indefinite amount of time, or they will leave their job eventually. If you want to mitigate some of this risk, then it is vitally important that you determine the extent of sickness, and that you also determine what kind of support is required.