18 Jul Genuine Mental Health Initiatives in the Workplace
By Kendryll Lictao
Organisations that prioritise the mental health and wellbeing of their employees not only foster a healthy and supportive culture but also reap the benefits of increased employee retention, engagement, and productivity.
However, it is crucial to go beyond superficial mental health initiatives and implement meaningful strategies that address the diverse needs of employees.
How can you provide genuine workplace mental health initiatives and create a culture of wellbeing and support in your organisation?
UNDERSTANDING THE IMPORTANCE OF WORKPLACE MENTAL HEALTH
Before delving into the strategies and approaches for promoting workplace mental health, it is essential to understand what mental health encompasses.
Mental health is not simply the absence of mental illness but rather a state of wellbeing in which individuals can cope with everyday stressors, work productively, reach their full potential, and contribute to their community.
It is an integral component of overall health, alongside physical health and social wellbeing.
THE BENEFITS OF GENUINE WORKPLACE MENTAL HEALTH INITIATIVES
Implementing genuine workplace mental health initiatives brings forth a multitude of benefits for both employees and organisations.
When employees feel supported and their mental health needs are prioritised, they experience reduced work and life conflicts, increased trust in their workplaces and co-workers, and improved overall health.
Leaders play a crucial role in increasing worker control over various aspects of work, such as the scope of work, project processes, and scheduling and location flexibility. These measures not only enhance employee satisfaction and productivity but also reduce turnover rates.
ADDRESSING SCHEDULE INSTABILITY AND PROMOTING WORK-LIFE FLEXIBILITY
Unstable and unpredictable scheduling practices can have a detrimental impact on employees’ mental health and overall wellbeing. It is essential for organisations to implement policies that promote work-life flexibility.
Some measures they can explore doing are promoting flexible start and end times whenever possible, condensed work hours or weeks, and remote or hybrid work arrangements.
By allowing employees to have greater control over when and where they work, organisations can minimize work-life conflicts and reduce the risk of physical and mental health challenges.
INCREASING ACCESS TO PAID LEAVE AND REDUCING INEQUITIES
Paid leave, including sick leave, family and medical leave, and vacation time, is a crucial aspect of supporting employees’ mental health and overall wellbeing.
Unfortunately, many companies and organisations lag behind others in guaranteeing paid medical and family leave to its workforce.
Organisations should strive to increase access to paid leave, ensuring that all employees, regardless of their wage category or demographic background, have equal opportunities to take time off for personal, family, or emergency needs. By doing so, organisations can reduce the likelihood of lost wages, improve retention rates, and positively affect the physical and mental health of their teams.
SETTING CLEAR BOUNDARIES AND PROMOTING WELLBEING PRACTICES
Leaders can alleviate anxiety and fears of missing work demands by setting, respecting, and modeling clear boundaries between work and personal time. It is crucial for organisations to establish policies that limit digital communication outside of work hours, allowing employees to have dedicated time for rest and rejuvenation.
Additionally, providing resources and training to managers and supervisors on how to promote wellbeing and utilise available support services, such as Employee Assistance Programs (EAPs).
ENCOURAGING EMPLOYEES TO UNPLUG AND PRIORITISE WELLBEING
Productivity is not solely determined by the number of hours worked but also by the well-being of employees.
Encouraging employees to carve out time for their wellbeing protects their mental health and enhances job performance. Create a culture that promotes paid time off and encourage employees to use it without fear of repercussions.
Offering company-wide mental health days, where everyone can unplug simultaneously, provides an opportunity for employees to focus on their wellbeing without the stress of catching up on work.
It is important for leaders to lead by example, taking time off themselves and discouraging the expectation of constant availability.
Genuine workplace mental health initiatives are critical for creating a culture of well-being and support within organisations.
Improve retention rates, enhance employee engagement, and foster a healthy workplace culture by making an effort to see your employees and team as human beings in need of rest and relaxation too.
It is essential to go beyond superficial initiatives and implement strategies that address the diverse needs of your team. The future of successful organisations lies in heart-centered, human-centric leadership that values the mental health and wellbeing of their team.
Read More Articles
The Future Of Work Is Here – Are You Ready To Lead Your Team Into It?
The ‘Loud Leaving’ Trend And Why It Won’t Make The Cut
How Michelle Obama Built Her Personal Brand
I Make No Apologies, This Is Me!
Leaders Are Hired To… Effect Change and Make a Difference
The 9 Differences Between Charismatic Leaders and Normal Leaders