Operations Manager at Composites UK Dr Sue Halliwell said: “A physically fit and mentally healthy workforce can deliver increased productivity, increased staff retention, and ensure employees are more fully engaged in their work.

“The manufacturing sector has traditionally focused on physical health and safety, but mental health and wellbeing is now rightfully demanding increased attention. Work related stress can be a significant cause of illness leading to absence, staff turnover and other issues such as increased capacity for error; the pandemic has only added to already increasing pressures across all businesses.”

Senior Policy Manager at Make UK, Jamie Cater, said: “Britain’s manufacturers have come on in leaps and bounds in terms of the importance they give to the wellbeing and mental health of their employees.

“Without doubt the pandemic accelerated the need to provide good programmes to promote wellbeing at a time workers were under unprecedented pressures.”

Information and resources

Make UK has launched a podcast series where former BBC Business Editor, Jonty Bloom, interviews companies and experts on the importance of mental health and explores examples of best practice, from large organisations to SMEs.

Find out more about the series of six podcasts on the importance of mental health.