Shift are taking requests for copies of Working it Out, a new DVD-based resource for employers.

Working it Out is a comprehensive new resource pack designed to help raise awareness of mental health conditions in the
workplace and provide employers with practical advice and guidance on how best to support and manage a member of staff should they become unwell.

The DVD, free to employers and organisations based in England, includes a brand new set of short employment films with accompanying training notes and other resources.

The Working it Out DVD contains:

Working It Out employment films

The five short films show employees recounting their real-life experiences of mental health conditions within the workplace, mixed with dramatic reconstructions. The films also feature managers who describe how they effectively managed and supported their staff using best practice approaches.

Training notes that accompany the ‘Working it Out’ employment films. (PDF format)

These notes are to be used in conjunction with the five Working it Out film modules. They suggest discussion topics and activities for a facilitated training session.

The Shift Line Managers’ Resource (PDF format)

A 32-page practical guide to managing and supporting people with mental health problems in the workplace. It is recommended that this resource is used in conjunction with the training notes.

‘Life in the Office’ employment films.

Shift’s original employment films. A series fictional short films designed to raise awareness and encourage discussion of mental health in the workplace. The films also include an interview with one of the actors, who talks about his own personal experience of mental health problems.

Personal Stories.

Short film clips in which people talk about their real-life experience of mental health conditions at work and what has helped them to manage their condition and remain in work.

Working it Out is being made available for World Mental Health Day and will be distributed through-out England until Shift ends in March 2011. To request a free copy of the DVD, order them directly online by going to http://shift.org.uk/workingitout

You can also view the films and resources online at: http://shift.org.uk/workingitout

Tags: shift, reviewpanel, employment, workingitout, lifeintheoffice, lmr

Shift has published an updated version of the Line Managers' Resource, a document that gives practical advice to managing and supporting people with mental health conditions in the workplace.

The resource is written for managers and recognises that workplace settings are vast and very diverse. It offers practical advice on managing and supporting people who are experiencing stress, distress and mental health conditions.

You can use it both to learn good practice in preparation for when an employee or employees are off on mental health grounds and to support their return to work.

The resource aims to directly address the fear, ignorance and stigma around engaging with someone experiencing mental health problems. The key message is that it is important to talk openly and with trust. The guide suggests practical steps that you and your employees can take together to:

• match the job requirements with the employee’s capabilities
  
• maintain regular contact with staff to identify any problems early
  
• talk at an early stage of distress to prevent the problem escalating
  
• keep in touch during sickness absence to offer support and plan for the return to work
  
• achieve a successful return to work
  
• manage a long-term illness whilst remaining in work, and
  
• access sources of support and information.

The accompanying website also provides advice and information for employees to help them to assess their own needs and plan for meetings with their manager.

It is part of Shift’s Action on Stigma initiative aimed at supporting employers to promote good mental health and reduce discrimination and is a revised edition of the original Line Managers’ Resource (LMR) published in 2007. The original LMR was itself an update of the Mind Out for Mental Health Line Managers’ Resource published in 2003.

We have produced the resource in partnership with the Department of Health, Department for Work and Pensions, Health and Safety Executive, Cross-Government Health Work Wellbeing Delivery Unit and the Chartered Institute of Personnel and Development. Find out more about these partners.

• Visit the Shift Line Managers' Web Resource to read the resource online and to download electronic copies.

Tags: shift, employers, employment, lmr

Shift has published the Line Managers' Resource, a document that gives practical advice to managing and supporting people with mental health problems in the workplace.

The Line Managers' Resource is a booklet and website that gives advice and information for managing and supporting people with mental health problems in the workplace.

The Line Managers' Web Resource website also gives advice and information for employees to help them assess their own needs and plan for meetings with their manager.

See the Line Managers' Resource website for more information.

Tags: shift, employers, lmr, action on stigma