Many people in the workforce, at all levels and in all sectors, will have experience of a mental health problem. The Like Minds, Like Mine programme is offering some practical advice to employers on best practice when keeping in touch with employees during sickness absence.

One in five New Zealanders experience a mental illness every year and it is important to note that the vast majority of people who have time off for a mental health problem return to work successfully.

However, there are steps that employers can take to make any employee absence and the transition back to work go as smoothly as possible.

"Appropriate contact during an absence is an opportunity to provide clear information and be supportive of an employee," says Judi Clements, Chief Executive of the Mental Health Foundation. "It also means that they then do not face additional stress through worrying about how they will be received when returning to work."

An online toolkit on keeping in touch during sickness absence for both employees with experience of mental illness and their employers is available through Like Minds. Areas covered include best practice for supporting an employee who is off sick. Visit http://www.likeminds.org.nz/page/164-Employment+Employers-toolkit to view the toolkit.

The information on supporting staff is the third in a series of workplace tips. The first two helpsheets, on the recruitment process and supporting someone in the workplace, can also be found at http://www.likeminds.org.nz/page/164-Employment+Employers-toolkit