Research report: Mental Health and Race at Work
Key findings
- 45% of Black people have experienced racism at work in the UK.
- 44 % of Black, Asian and Minority Ethnic workers feel they need to change aspects of their behaviour to fit in.
- Nearly two thirds of all workers (60%), believe that Covid-19 has had a negative impact on their mental health and wellbeing.
Poppy Jaman, CEO at CMHA, argued: “Businesses have a responsibility and an opportunity to build not only diverse, but also inclusive and mentally healthy workplaces. I have seen an outpouring of commitment to action from business on the mental health and the inclusion agenda over the last year, so the momentum is there.”
The report outlined five strategic actions to guide businesses to build workplaces that will protect, support and create positive mental health for their people, especially those who are Black or from a Minority Ethnic background.
- Recognise the specific challenges that employees from Black and Minority Ethnic groups are facing.
- Be actively anti-racist and prioritise inclusion.
- Promote and design inclusive workplace health and wellbeing systems.
- Allocate Board level responsibility for mental health and inclusion.
- Measure and be transparent about progress.
