Managing mental health problems in the workplace: are small businesses different?

IF 2.7 3区 管理学 Q2 INDUSTRIAL RELATIONS & LABOR
Annie Irvine, Jane Suter
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Abstract

Purpose This study addresses a gap in evidence on small employer experiences of managing mental health problems in the workplace. The authors gathered first-hand experiences of small business managers to empirically investigate how the small business context affects the management and support of mental health problems in the workplace, and the practice implications that arise. Design/methodology/approach Qualitative interviews, combining semi-structured and narrative approaches, with 21 small business managers with experience of managing employees with mental health difficulties. The 21 managers recounted a total of 45 employee cases, which were analysed thematically, using a case-based matrix. Study participants were drawn from small businesses within England and Scotland (UK). Interviews were conducted between November 2019 and February 2020. Findings Support aligned with current understanding of effective practice, yet was often informal, instinctive and flexible. Accommodating employees with mental health problems impacted the workload of managers and co-workers, and business operation and growth. Challenges and tensions reflected the difficult balancing act faced by managers in organisations of all sizes. However, the intensity and immediacy of cross-pressures was enhanced for small businesses, due to their smaller workforce and lack of dedicated Human Resource Management and occupational health expertise. Practical implications Guidance should address the navigation of day-to-day management and support for employees with mental health difficulties, including approaches to balancing the needs of the wider workforce and business operation. Access to HR and occupational health expertise is valuable. Financial subsidies may be of lesser concern to small businesses. Originality/value This study offers originality in focusing exclusively on small business managers with first-hand experience of supporting employees with mental health problems. Findings challenge the perception that small firms have unique experiences, whilst highlighting contextual features that exacerbate intensity and immediacy of impacts.
管理工作场所的心理健康问题:小企业不同吗?
目的本研究解决了小雇主在管理工作场所心理健康问题方面的证据差距。作者收集了小型企业管理者的第一手经验,实证研究了小型企业环境如何影响工作场所心理健康问题的管理和支持,以及由此产生的实践意义。设计/方法/方法定性访谈,结合半结构化和叙述方法,与21名具有管理精神健康问题员工经验的小型企业经理进行访谈。这21位经理共叙述了45个员工案例,使用基于案例的矩阵对这些案例进行了主题分析。研究参与者来自英格兰和苏格兰(英国)的小企业。采访于2019年11月至2020年2月进行。支持与当前对有效实践的理解一致,但往往是非正式的、本能的和灵活的。容纳有心理健康问题的员工会影响管理者和同事的工作量,以及企业的运营和发展。挑战和紧张关系反映了各种规模组织的管理者面临的艰难平衡行为。然而,由于小型企业的劳动力规模较小,而且缺乏专门的人力资源管理和职业健康专门知识,因此交叉压力的强度和紧迫性有所增加。《指南》应涉及日常管理的指导和对精神健康有困难的雇员的支助,包括平衡更广泛的工作人员的需要和企业运作的办法。获得人力资源和职业卫生专业知识是很有价值的。小型企业可能不太关心财政补贴。独创性/价值本研究的独创性在于专门关注具有支持有心理健康问题的员工的第一手经验的小型企业经理。研究结果挑战了小公司具有独特经验的看法,同时强调了加剧影响强度和即时性的背景特征。
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来源期刊
Employee Relations
Employee Relations Multiple-
CiteScore
6.50
自引率
8.80%
发文量
69
期刊介绍: ■Communication, participation and involvement ■Developments in collective bargaining ■Equal opportunities ■Health and safety ■HRM ■Industrial relations and employment protection law ■Industrial relations management and reform ■Organizational change and people ■Personnel and recruitment ■Quality of working life
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