How to create a workplace culture that values its’ employees health
It’s the era of speaking up about mental health issues and eliminating stigmas both in our personal lives and our professional lives, and it’s time for company executives to jump on board.
38.6% of Canadian workers would not tell their manager if they were experiencing mental health problems
A startling statistic especially since anxiety and depression amongst everyone is getting higher since the pandemic began.
How can employers and their companies ensure that their workplace is one that supports the mental well being of its workers?
Create open conversations about the importance of mental health
Having a space with privacy and without disruptions allows for open and transparent conversations surrounding mental health and how the workplace can add to maintaining well being. It’s helpful to reassure your employees that confidentiality is key when it comes to these conversations.
Community in the workplace
Any workplace has established a healthy culture when its employees can communicate and collaborate in a mindful and productive way. As an employer, it’s your job to create this space - not only does it allow for more conversation surrounding mental health, it also makes work a more enjoyable place to be and helps to avoid burnout for your employees.
Establish support for employees
There’s always room in the budget when it comes to the happiness of your workers - where would a company be without productive employees? Benefits for your employees become instantly more attractive when there’s a budget for counselling or therapy or yoga and fitness memberships. There are a plethora of applications that provide business memberships such as Calm, Headspace, and Insight Timer.
Mental health days
Sometimes we need to hit pause. Taking a day off can feel stressful though, the guilt of taking time away from focusing on work and putting your health first. How can employers allow days off to truly feel like days off? Encourage mental health days. Open conversation incentivizes employees to be transparent when they’re feeling under the weather, stressed, or on the verge of burning out. Show your employees that you care by allotting a certain amount of mental health days in a year and take it a step further by following-up on your employees’ health afterwards.
Stay consistent
Put these procedures in place and stick with them. Never pick and choose when the rules get followed or when you can deliver on what was promised to your employees. Make sure you understand the importance and the impact that mental health has on your employees’ well being, productivity, and your company’s performance - and be sure to understand the hit your business will take if mental wellness isn’t a priority in your workplace.