Health issues ‘never discussed’ by small businesses

Two out of five small business owners never talk to their staff about their physical or mental health, despite the cost of stress in the workplace, according to new research.

A survey of 250 business bosses and senior managers in smaller firms found that one in four were not confident about recognising stress or depression among their employees, despite mental health problems affecting up to a quarter of the population.

Private healthcare provider Bupa said its findings showed that health was often overlooked because of the pace at which many small businesses have to work, especially in a struggling economy.