Mental health has exploded in popularity as a topic in recent years, rightfully being recognized as of equal importance to physical health. While many workplaces have embraced this, asking workers to communicate their needs and share their struggles, others have been a bit slow on the uptake. We wanted to investigate some of the interesting ways workplaces are adapting and providing support to their workers and offer up a few suggestions for offices that are still searching for the best ways to meet their employees’ mental health needs.
Why prioritize mental health?
In short, because it’s profitable! Happy employees provide a much better ROI than unsatisfied ones. It may seem odd to perform a cost-benefit analysis of making employees happy, but research indicates that happy employees tend to be more future-oriented, and go out of their way to push themselves and teammates to greater heights. By now, most workplaces have been touched by the “Great Resignation.” Workers in every sector left positions in droves this past year, and many of them cited mental health issues stemming from work as a primary reason. Through three lenses, one cultural, one environmental, and one material, we can gain a greater understanding of where companies are excelling at meeting the needs of their employees, and how they can avoid becoming a victim of the “Great Resignation.”
Can’t fix what you can’t find.
Making the workplace a safe environment, one where employees can be open and honest about mental health struggles, is one way many businesses are setting themselves apart. You can’t address the needs of your workers if they’re hesitant to share their stories. A company that lacks effective support mechanisms, or that doesn’t emphasize communication and teamwork, is bound to see a decline in the mental health of their workers. Establishing effective communicative pathways and structuring teams in a way that individuals feel closer to one another are great ways of ensuring that coworkers feel as if they are part of something greater, and therefore more likely to come forward when they are experiencing issues. Addressing these issues may happen on an individual basis, or may have to be a more systemic change, such as addressing harassment or poor management.
Is it hot in here? Or is it just me?
The effects of environment on mental health are often overlooked, but are critical when you consider just how much time we spend working each week. Many times, offices with fabulous culture can still find their employees dreading coming into work. Has the trash been taken out this week? Is the office always freezing cold? Is the coffee maker still broken? These seemingly one-off issues can have a compounding effect and can make an environment seem unwelcoming and downright unpleasant. If employees are already in a vulnerable state and are forced to work in an uncomfortable environment, it can exacerbate mental health issues that may have been lurking just beneath the surface. It’s always best to take stock of your surroundings, and to address these small issues before they morph into something much larger. You can create plans to address cleaning and organizing your office, like creating teams who’s weekly responsibility is to tackle recurring issues, but investing in the office space itself is one surefire way to create a more comfortable and stable environment for your employees.
All about the Benjamins.
Nobody should be telling businesses how much to compensate their employees, as it’s never a one size fits all situation. But financial stress is a major factor when it comes to poor mental health. Workplaces that are intentionally vague regarding upward mobility and compensation can foster resentment among employees. Making the path to promotion clear, establishing realistic benchmarks for performance, and making expectations clear are great ways that many companies have tackled the elephant in the room. This approach also helps to ensure that these conversations involve management in some way, so employees don’t feel as if they need to have them behind closed doors. Consider opening the floor for employees to speak publicly about their compensation, and celebrate promotions often to ensure workers know that they are part of a team that wants to see them advance in their careers and personal lives.
Finding the Goldilocks Zone
Nurturing the mental health of employees, while still encouraging them to work hard is a delicate balancing act, and the expectations of offices to provide different resources to meet the diverse needs of their workers will continue to evolve over the coming years. Especially with Gen Z entering the workforce, employers must be cautious about the ways in which they provide help, and constantly reassess whether or not they are doing all they can to foster positive mental health among their employees.
Want some more? Don't miss anything during May's exclusive event, Think Green!
Get more curated content around caring for yourself, your business and your earth.
Let us know in the comments how you feel your workplace has made positive changes, and what you’d like to see your industry implement in the future.