If you’re like most people, you spend a large chunk of your time working. A recent study done by the Bureau of Labor Statistics showed that the U.S. workforce spends at least 7.9 hours working everyday.
Now, don’t get me wrong, I have nothing against those who work hard. But at times, this ambition and hard work usually comes at the expense of one’s mental well-being.
To avoid this, consider incorporating mental health into your company’s culture, especially if you’re in a leadership position. In the following post, you’ll learn 5 different ways to support your employees’ mental wellness. Let’s dig in:
Why Employees’ Mental Health Matters
Let’s be honest, mental wellness isn’t accorded enough attention in the workplace. Some companies go as far as to stigmatize workers who reveal their struggles with mental health. However, this shouldn’t be the case.
More leaders need to realize that this matter impacts employees’ performance directly. So failing to provide ample support only hurts their productivity, and subsequently, the company’s long-term performance.
The World Health Organization (WHO) estimates that the global economy loses a whopping $1 trillion through reduced productivity stemming from depression and anxiety disorders. One way to minimize this financial impact is by investing in employees’ mental health resources. On that note, here are 4 things you can do to improve your employees’ mental wellness:
4 Approaches to Workplace Mental Health
Create Open Communication Channels
Supporting your employees’ mental health doesn’t take too much. All you have to do is join the conversation by providing open channels of communication.
Let your staff know that there are mental health resources available to those struggling. You can also plan a mental health workshop or seminar in the workplace. At the same time, take initiative to train those in managerial positions about mental well-being. “Carry one another’s burdens; in this way you will fulfill the law of Christ” (Galatians 6:2)
Offer Flexible Work Schedules
Another way to promote your employees’ mental well-being is to offer flexible work schedules. This way, they’ll have enough time to handle other issues in their personal lives. In return, they can concentrate when they’re at work and be more productive.
So whether it’s attending a doctor’s appointment or their children’s soccer practice, they should have the freedom to run these errands without the fear of getting a pay-cut or losing their job. They can then make up for the hours by working overtime on specific days.
Monitor Employees’ Workload
It’s not enough to offer a flexible work schedule. Instead, go the extra mile of monitoring your employees’ workload, especially when things seem like they’re going awry.
Are there team members who have too much work on their plates? If so, reassign some of the tasks to those with a smaller workload. If reassigning isn’t an option, then consider extending deadlines of the non-urgent projects.
Foster a Wellness Culture
Your employees’ mental wellness should take a front seat in your company’s culture. One way to achieve this is to have a specific beginning and end of day.
Let your employees know when they should be at work and when to wrap up. And while you’re at it, be a good role model by adhering to the stipulated work hours.
That said, promoting corporate wellness goes beyond setting work hours. It also means respecting your employees’ personal time. Don’t ask them to work on a project during their lunch break or send them work emails outside normal working hours.
The Bottom Line
We live in such a fast-paced era that it’s easy to put your employees’ mental health on the back burner. However, doing so will only hurt your company’s performance in the long-run.
If you truly want your staff to be productive, prioritize their mental well-being. This entails creating an open-door policy, offering flexible work arrangements, monitoring their workload and promoting a wellness culture.
