The industry challenge
According to a report published by Deloitte in 2017, the transport, shipping and logistics sector had the highest level of absenteeism within the private sector industries surveyed, whereas transport and communications equally experienced the second greatest level of workplace stress.
According to the Office for National Statistics, the transport, shipping and logistics sector had a sickness absence rate of 2.5% in 2021, which was higher than the UK all-sector average of 2.2%.
Randstad’s 2023 ‘Health and Well-being in the Workplace’ report found that 27% of logistics workers surveyed had taken time off work due to unmanageable stress or mental health conditions in the previous 12 months, and 19% of respondents were planning to leave the profession in the next 12 months because of it.
Given that the most recent report from the Health and Safety Executive stated that in 2023/24 stress, depression or anxiety accounted for 46% of all work-related ill health cases and 55% of all working days lost due to ill health, this serves as further evidence that the cost of poor mental health to UK businesses is hugely significant.
The impact of stress, depression and anxiety within the transport and logistics sector can be seen in the concerning statistics from the Office for National Statistics, who in 2017 reported that drivers of forklift trucks had a suicide rate 85% higher than the national average. Van drivers were noted to have a rate 25% higher, and drivers of large goods vehicles 20% higher than the national average.
The need for industry leaders to take direct action within the transport and logistics sector is becoming increasingly obvious. The reports above reflect the fact that many across the industry need mental health support. Long and irregular hours, delivery schedules, limited access to facilities, isolation, being away from home and family, amongst other factors, can all contribute to stress, and can affect concentration and therefore performance and safety. For many organisations, the need for support to create positive mental health in and through work, is clear. That is where we can help.
Find out how we can help you.
Working alongside industry partners across the industry, Mates in Mind is proud to be delivering the support, education, resources and materials that organisations need to improve the mental health of workforces within the transport and logistics sector.
Using a joined-up approach to mental health, we are offering more than a tick-box mentality to tackling the issue. It is essential that with an issue such as this, the change that is being delivered is sustainable, and our approach in partnering to with organisations to provide them with the skills, clarity and confidence to raise awareness, improve understanding and address the stigma that surrounds mental health, is proven.
Working with Mammoet
“At Mammoet one of our core values is ‘take care’, this particularly relates to taking care of our people as our most important asset. We recognise the impact that mental health issues can have on an individual’s ability to perform in their personal life and at work and are striving to ensure we provide adequate resource to support, improve and maintain good mental health.
“Mammoet started working in partnership with Mates in Mind in 2021. We started by undertaking an initial assessment which was designed to help determine the gaps preventing us from reaching our desired goals. The results of the assessment recognised our commitment to mental health and wellbeing but acknowledged that we were still in the early stages of developing a good practice approach. We received practical feedback on how to address the initial vulnerabilities identified.
“Having committed to the Mates in Mind framework, we were delighted to discover in our 2024 assessment that we have progressed in nine out of ten areas and that we have achieved a Sustainable (Green) rating. This rating demonstrates that we now maintain a consistent approach to how the mental health of our employees is being managed. Through creating, implementing and communicating our mental health plan, we have made significant progress in supporting our people, something which we will continue to prioritise.”
Mark Sadler, Managing Director, Mammoet
Working with FORS
"Addressing this issue in the workplace is vital not only to those affected but also to the business performance of its member companies. By ensuring we take this issue seriously, by encouraging openness and being able to signpost professional services to help, we will make the logistics industry a more attractive profession to join, grow and thrive in, which in turn can only benefit UK PLC.
"Mates in Mind has been key to helping FORS understand the issue of mental health in the workplace and the services they can provide to FORS members will be of great benefit. Their proactive approach in offering their help and presenting to the FORS Governance & Standards Advisory Group impressed, and FORS were delighted to make Mates in Mind Associate Members which means its member companies can easily access Mates in Mind services. FORS has also become an official supporter of Mates in Mind and it is recommended that other organisations follow suit."
Gordon Sutherland Traffic and Road Logistics Managers, FORS
Continue reading - How we work
We appreciate that every organisation has its own culture and way of working, and it will be the same when it comes to mental health and wellbeing. Find out more about how we work with organisations to help them meet their mental health and wellbeing goals.
Learn more about how we work