Investing in wellbeing in the workplace: more than just a business case

This chapter looks at how we can help strengthen the economic case for better mental wellbeing at work. It recognizes that being in employment in a good working environment is beneficial to health, but acknowledges that workplaces are in an accelerating cycle of restructure and change. We highlight how effective prevention of excess psychosocial stress, promotion of mental health, and a return to work activities can contribute to mental capital and mental wellbeing. We then look at what is known about the cost-effectiveness of these interventions and how economic incentives can be used to help increase access to effective programs. The evidence base is encouraging: different combinations of interventions in workplace mental health and wellbeing programs have been shown to generate positive returns on investment. A major caveat is that nearly all of this economic evidence is from the United States, where employers have a strong incentive to take action as they are often responsible for funding health care for their employees. Financial and regulatory incentives may be needed to stimulate investment in workplace health promotion in contexts where health systems are funded by taxation or social health insurance.