Mental health and our members

This Conference is concerned at the growing problem of mental health issues in
today’s society.

With 1 in 4 people suffering the effects of a mental health issue, it is important to
make sure our members are supported by the Fire and Rescue Services they serve in.
Aggressive attendance management policies may well create non sympathetic
employers who don’t realise when an employee is suffering from issues beyond their
control, when as a consequence it is support they require rather than warnings about
their sickness records and disciplinary sanctions.

This Conference therefore instructs the Executive Council with immediate effect to
create workplace best practice guidance on mental health which would help local
Officials when consulting with Fire and Rescue Services on mental health policies.
This to include a holistic approach to dealing with mental health and to create
supportive environments for our Members to recover and deal with their condition.
This best practice guidance to be completed within six months from the end of
Conference 2015.