In today’s business landscape, huge amounts of data surrounds all organisations, large or small.

Data can improve all aspects of a business’s functioning, but not all types of data are used well.

Employee data is one type of data that is underutilised by today’s businesses. Employee data refers to any information about a workforce, and how its workers think, feel, and act.

Analysing and using employee data isn’t a new concept, but it is still rarely done. Research has found that only 8 percent of managers report they have usable employee data.

Mental health organisation, Mente, has said that businesses can improve mental health at work by being more strategic. They should use the employee data available to them.

One in four people will experience a mental health problem each year. The cost of poor mental health to employers is between £1,205 and £1,560 per employee each year. This cost is for all employees, and not those who are ill.

Supporting the mental health of employees is good for individuals. It’s also good for business, with research finding it improves productivity and reputation. It also reduces sickness and staff turnover.

Mel Joseph, founder of Mente, said “Collecting employee data is the only way to get a clear picture of how your workers are feeling.

“Without basing actions on data, any efforts a company makes to improve mental health could waste time and money.”

She went onto say that it’s possible to track many different types of employee data. Alongside employee wellbeing surveys, businesses can measure information about productivity, sickness rates and uptake of wellbeing services, employee recruitment and retention, and company reputation.

About Mente

The Mente platform helps businesses to manage mental health. Contact email: info@mente.co.uk The company provides mental health training, such as CPD accredited e-learning about mental health, delivered in bite-sized modules, and legislation and best-practice guides just for managers. The platform also houses diagnostic and performance tools, like a survey function and an absence calculator. The company can also offer direct access to licensed specialist partners, and a national directory of solutions providers.