Peru: Employers' obligations regarding the mental health of their employees

10 Oct 2024    2 minute read
Diversity & Inclusion

In brief

Today, 10 October, is the day on which the importance of mental health is commemorated worldwide. Let us remember the obligations and commitments that every employer must adopt in this area.

Contents

In more detail

  1. Work overload, job instability, family and even social conflicts can be considered psychosocial risk factors that companies should monitor and manage. How? This can be done by incorporating these factors into the IPERC (Hazard Identification, Risk Assessment and Control Measures) matrix and implementing prevention and control measures to manage them appropriately.
  2. In addition, according to the Regulation of Mental Health Law, employers must do the following:
  • Have in place continuous care plans and programs that include activities such as promotion of healthy eating, ergonomic care, sociocultural and sports activities, recognition of achievements, etc.
  • Implement measures to reconcile and harmonize family responsibilities and peoples' right to work, especially those who care for immediate family members in vulnerable situations.
  1. Likewise, companies should conduct annual evaluations to identify possible cases of sexual harassment, which could naturally affect the well-being of personnel in general.
  2. On the other hand, companies must comply with the legal provisions on care leave (medical leaves, oncological discharge, care of family members, among others) and respect the limits established by the regulations on digital disconnection.

As good practices, we recommend the following:

  • Monitor psychosocial factors (As part of this monitoring, the specialists in charge will have the opportunity to talk to personnel and gather first-hand information about situations that could be hindering their adequate work development.)
  • Update the IPERC matrix with the results obtained and design policies or programs that adhere to the specific conditions of the company: flexible time or time compensation programs, shift modification, recognition, etc.
  • Implement safe and clear communication channels through which personnel can share their concerns with professionals who are able to provide help and support.
  • Organize training and other events to create awareness of the importance of mental health: talks, information panels, work gymnastics, exercise events at work, etc.

We hope this information is relevant to you and your company. Please do not hesitate to contact us if you require any advice in this regard.

Click here to read Spanish version.

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