Staff absences for mental health problems have doubled at hospital trusts across England in the past four year

Does your work environment increase stress and anxiety or do you have the correct measures in places to prevent them?

Figures obtained by the BBC reveal that 41,112 staff took sick leave with anxiety, stress and depression in 2014 - over double the amount in 2010.

NHS England said it needed to do more to support staff.

The Royal College of Nursing said the figures reflected the "relentless pressure" staff were under.

At Laughology we've seen this pressure lead to a rise in the number of public sector organisations who want to address happiness, engagement, health and well-being at work with a focus on preventative measures. Public facing services recognise that prevention is better than cure. We believe having a workplace culture that is supportive and that promotes resilience, well-being and happiness is about taking an holistic approach that includes learning and development.

Managers should have the skills to support their teams and organisations and need structures and processes in place that help address heavy workloads. A positive culture that helps individuals feel valued will help combat stress and absenteeism. Putting happiness at the heart of your organisation really does make a difference.

Laughology understands the positive impact staff development and organisation structures can make. Workplaces that are eager to prevent absenteeism and workplace stress and promote an environment that is conducive to productivity without causing illness will undoubtedly pay dividends in the long term. We have created a trends report that understands what HR and L&D departments can do to facilitate healthy and happy businesses and help relieve the pressure on their teams.

Businesses have a duty to facilitate healthy lifestyle choices in their workforce. Wellness is no longer the sole preserve of occupational health. Businesses need look at a broader definition of the word.

In our trends report you will find information on:

• psychologically healthy workplaces
• staff retention rates
• case studies from O2, Nat West and PepsiCo.
• integration of L&D into the corporate fabric
• managing talent
• science-led L&D programmes.

Email us here to request a full copy of the Laughology Trends & Futures report