Ciara McLoughlin

Ciara McLoughlin, head of employment for DLA Piper in Ireland, said the pandemic has exacerbated existing mental health issues as well as leading many to experience mental health issues for the first time.

The global law firm recently published a new report on mental health in the workplace, covering a range of topics including the legal aspects of stress at work and how to handle difficult scenarios.

Ahead of World Mental Health Day tomorrow, Ms McLoughlin urged employers not to let their staff “suffer in silence”.

She said: “As we enter the winter months and uncertainty continues to take its toll, it’s important to acknowledge and address this very real symptom of the pandemic. A positive investment in and engagement with employee mental health is an investment in the business.

“Employers have statutory and common law duties to ensure a safe place of work by preventing physical and mental injury. Under health and safety legislation, employers also have a legal duty to assess the risk of stress related ill health arising from work activities by carrying out a risk assessment and taking measures to control that risk.

“World Mental Health Day is an opportunity for employers to reflect and review current mental health initiatives in place, and ensure that employees are supported during these challenging times.”