Wales TUC calls for bosses to protect workers’ mental health at launch of new toolkit

Wales TUC has today (Tuesday 15 December) called for bosses to protect workers’ mental health. This coincides with the union body launching a new toolkit aimed at improving workplace mental health.

As workers come to the end of an extremely difficult year, Wales TUC says it’s important for bosses to protect workers’ mental health through measures such as decent wages, proper terms and conditions, training and support.

Wales TUC has called on trade unions to hold workplaces to account over the way they treat staff and are calling for workplaces to treat workers with dignity and respect.

The ‘Mental Health and the Workplace’ toolkit was launched today at an online event with guest speaker Eluned Morgan MS, Minister for Mental Health, Wellbeing and Welsh Language.

The toolkit is aimed at union reps and workers. It will provide better information, awareness and representation for workers experiencing mental health issues.

The toolkit will help union reps and workers recognise and address workplace issues and it provides tools and ideas on workplace health and safety, equality and self-care.

Wales TUC General Secretary, Shavanah Taj says:

“Launching a resource aimed at workers’ mental health has never been so important.  The Covid-19 pandemic has shown us how hard our front line NHS, Social Care and key workers have worked to keep the country running, but if we don’t look after workers’ mental health they will crash and burn.

“2020 has been a tough year for us all.  Including workers who’ve been furloughed, those who have lost their job/s, key workers, freelancers, self employed and gig economy workers.

“Everyone has faced new and tough challenges and our employers and workplaces need to recognise that they have a huge role to play in protecting and rebuilding workers’ mental health.”