Mental health was the leading cause of employee absence in 2014
- 37% of absence notifications received by the insurer in 2014 were due to mental health issues
- A record £860,000 was paid to employers for early absence notifications
- 7,200 psychological treatment sessions were arranged and funded by Legal & General
- 80% of people absent due to mental health conditions could return to work within the deferred period
Mental health issues were the leading cause of employee absence last year, making up 37% of all absence notifications received by Legal & General in 2014.
The number of absence notifications linked to mental health received by the insurer has increased 56% since 2012.
Analysis of the notifications revealed that those working in the finance and insurance industries were the most likely to be affected by a mental health issue, with nearly half (47%) of notifications relating to employees in these sectors.
Group income protection policies can offer more than just payment of a claim at the end of the deferred period. In 2014, Legal & General arranged and funded more than 7,200 psychological treatment sessions.
Legal & General also paid a record amount to employers for early notification of absence in 2014. The company paid over £860,000 to qualifying employers, the largest amount since the scheme was introduced in 2006.
This early intervention and funding of appropriate treatments resulted in almost 80% (79.4%) of people who were absent due to mental health conditions being able to return to work within the deferred period.
Vanessa Sallows, benefits director at Legal & General, says:
“In recent years we’ve seen that mental health issues have become the main reason for absence notifications received and claims paid. This has helped us develop a rehabilitation process that is comprehensive, supportive and effective.
“We’re paying more to employers for early notifications and funding more treatments so more people are able to return to work before their absence becomes a claim, which is good for employees and their employer.”
This article was provided by Legal & General
In partnership with Legal & General
One of the UK's leading group protection providers with over 85 years' experience.
