ISO 45003: Why Supporting Mental Health at Work has Never Been more Important
What is ISO 45003: Psychological Health & Safety Management?
ISO 45003 is the first international standard dedicated to managing mental health and wellbeing risks at work. It explores how organisations can recognise psychological hazards that can affect wellbeing through guidance framework, and actions that can be taken to manage them.
Why we’re focusing on ISO 45003
This World Mental Health Day, we are spotlighting the very first standard designed to provide guidance on positive mental health and wellbeing within an organisation, sitting within the ISO 45000 series – ISO 45003.
Did you know that poor mental health costs employers in the UK an estimated £42 to £45 billion annually through presenteeism, sickness absence and staff turnover? (source: Mental health at work: statistics | Mental Health Foundation). This means that supporting positive mental health within an organisation is more important than ever, not just for your staff, but for your business too.
The standard, developed in 2021 by leading workplace health experts across 74 countries, was written to complement and expand on ISO 45001: Occupational Health and Safety Management. Although not a certifiable standard, it helps organisations embed support mechanisms for employees, from Assistants to CEOs, who are at risk of psychological harm.
How can ISO 45003 benefit your organisation?
Embedding the ISO 45003 standard into your organisation will help you to:
- Build a more positive working environment
- Manage psychological health and safety to secure resilience and performance
- Reduce absence from work due to stress, anxiety and depression
- Acknowledge that workplace wellbeing matters and that you take it seriously
- Improve employee engagement and retention
How does ISO 45003 embed into your organisation?
The standard uses the Plan-Do-Check-Act (PDCA) Approach to drive forward thinking and echoes that of other Management System standards:
- Firstly, you will plan your system and make sure that it’s appropriate for your organisation and adequately resourced.
- Identify work related psychosocial hazards and develop and deploy appropriate controls
- Review how well your controls are working and whether or not the hazards have changed
- Drive forward improvement, ensuring the system remains appropriate for the organisation today and in the future
The Importance of ISO 45003
The guidelines outline several risks can happen when psychological risks are not addressed, such as:
- Increased costs due to a mental health related absence from work
- Increased staff turnover leading to increasing costs in recruitment and training
- Reduced product or service quality ‘eye off the ball’
- Workplace investigations into accidents, incidents or staff turnover
- Litigation and tribunals – and the associated costs
- Organisational reputation
ISO 45003 can help you to mitigate these risks, before they become a problem for your organisation.
ISO 45003: A Strategic Investment in Wellbeing
Recent research finds that, on average, there is a positive return on investment of around £5 for every £1 invested in mental health interventions in the workplace – making ISO 45003 an investment for your business!
ISO 45003 isn’t just about compliance — it’s about creating a mentally healthy workplace culture that supports people at every level, from Assistants to CEOs. By adopting this standard, businesses can reduce risk, build trust, and enhance overall organisational resilience. Why not invest in ISO 45003 this World Mental Health Day?
For more information
To find out more about this rewarding and beneficial assurance report, visit our website: ISO 45003 Certification | Centre for Assessment
Why not get in touch? we are always happy to answer any questions you might have.
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