There has been an increased emphasis on the cultivation of workforce mental well-being in the corporate world. Mental health complications can fester and grow in an atmosphere in which they are ignored. More and more companies are allocating resources and altering their practices to foster good mental health among their employees. Here are some of the actions being taken.
Reviewing Workloads
By actively assessing and addressing workloads, employers can create a supportive work environment that promotes mental well-being for all employees. It is vitally important to assess the workloads of employees to ensure they are manageable and reasonable. The best employers encourage open and honest communication between employees and managers about workloads and work-life balance.
In recent years, technology has made the implementation of flexible work arrangements, such as remote work or flexible hours to support employees, far easier than ever before. Workloads should be distributed fairly and equitably across the team. Regular check-ups with employees to figure out how best to provide opportunities for feedback about workloads are crucial. Unrealistic deadlines and excessive overtime culture can damage the overall mental well-being of a workforce. Companies have only recently begun seeing high-pressure environments as net negative influences.
Hiring Trained Speakers
Hiring a motivational speaker or trained well-being facilitator to talk to company employees can help a great deal. Mental well-being and motivation can go hand in hand within a company. Some speakers specialise in helping people connect workplace performance and mental well-being. Some companies, however, fail to recognise the potentially negative impact of linking well-being too firmly to performance. Take the pressure off!
Providing Employer Funded Counselling
Employer funded counselling services provided by companies can include support for mental health, such as individual and group therapy sessions, as well as assistance with other personal and professional issues, such as financial planning or relationship counselling. These services are often provided through an Employee Assistance Program and may be offered free of charge or at a reduced cost to employees. Some companies also offer on-site counselling services, such as workshops and training sessions, to support employee well-being. In addition, some employers partner with mental health providers to offer virtual counselling services, making it easier for employees to access support from the comfort of their own homes.
Employer-funded counselling services are an important resource for employees, as they provide a confidential and safe environment for employees to discuss personal and professional issues and receive support to improve their overall well-being. Companies typically make it clear that any information provided during counselling will not be used to assess performance in any way.
Listening Actively
The development of a culture of active listening is one of the most important sea changes occurring in the modern corporate environment. Employers have historically ignored employee concerns if they have the potential to impact productivity. More and more companies are learning to collectively become better listeners – making sure to acknowledge issues even if they jeopardise productivity in the short term.
