Huge corporations often invest in mental health services for their employees but what about the mid-level business that wants to make employee welfare a priority but may be on a smaller budget? Fortunately, there are so many advantages to putting workers’ state of mind first, it may just pay for itself.
What exactly is mental health when it comes to employees? Although one would think work conflicts are the main issue, unfortunately people sometimes bring personal problems to the office with them. The overall mental wellbeing becomes crucial to a healthy, happy worker that is focused and productive.
Why Should Leaders Prioritize Their Mental Health Teams?
Global Newswire recently reported around 95% of employers will offer virtual care for behavioral health issues by the end of 2023. Workers are demanding better care and work/life balance. Putting a mental health team at the forefront of a company’s operations ensures no one gets overlooked or overworked.
When people are happier, they’re more productive. They’re less likely to look for outside employment to fulfill a yearning. They’ll know when to set healthy boundaries and when to step things up to meet demand. It might cost less to invest in mental health now rather than lose an employee or their time and effort to a nervous breakdown.
Mental health sometimes gets overlooked as businesses strive to scale up and offer health benefits to compete with big corporations and other small businesses. However, it’s crucial for owners to keep in mind the emotional and mental wellbeing of their workers.
What are some ways mid-level businesses can affordably prioritize mental health for employees?
1. Start a Chat
The best place to start with a mental health improvement plan is by talking to the workforce. What needs do they have that the business can easily meet? Perhaps a mental health break in the middle of the day would benefit them and reduce stress. Add a full-time counselor on staff to talk them through desperate moments.
Appoint a team to be in charge of employees’ mental health benefits. What services are included in healthcare packages? Will workers have access to telemed appointments so they can talk to a trained professional whenever they’re feeling overwhelmed? What other programs can the business institute to help staff be well-balanced?
2. Add Natural Light
More natural light benefits people in many ways, including physical and mental well-being. Researchers claim it helps people sleep better and improves productivity. Throw up the shades, add some skylights, give employees time to take a walk outside.
For spaces where natural light can’t easily be added, daylight simulation lights improve the circadian rhythms and can improve issues such as seasonal affective disorder.
3. Offer Flexible Schedules
Parents and caregivers sometimes suffer the most silently trying to shuffle all their responsibilities. Offering a flexible schedule may allow them to avoid some of the unneeded stress of figuring out how to get kids to school or daycare.
However, if a company offers a benefit to parents, they should also offer it to those who choose not to or can’t have children. They may also have responsibilities that make it difficult to get to the office by a certain time.
4. Shift to Remote Working
Today’s workers want the chance to work from home. They learned during the pandemic they can shave an hour or more off their work day when they don’t have to commute back and forth. Add to that stress, the cost of buying office attire, rising fuel expenses, wear and tear on a vehicle, figuring out where to park and lunch out.
Out of the largest 50,000 employers, remote work will increase to 25% of jobs this year. Most people find they’re far more productive working remotely. Not feeling so pressured to meet deadlines helps them be more relaxed and in a positive state of mind.
5. Erase the Stigma
People sometimes avoid reaching out for help because they worry they’ll be branded as unstable. Look for ways to make mental health a priority so workers don’t fear appearing weak or needy.
Offer days off for mental health breaks and insist people use them to get a break from the hustle and bustle of the office. Let workers have a half day before major holidays. Host workshops to help everyone be more mindful with experts in meditation or other relaxation techniques.
Read books as a team about how to be happier and less stressed. The more focused the company culture is on mental health, the easier it will be for workers to take advantage of resources offered.
6. Adopt a No Bullying Policy
One stressor some workers deal with is other employees taunting them or riding over their wishes. No one wants to go to a workplace where they feel unsafe or demeaned. Set up a training program so everyone knows what bullying is and the consequences should they choose to treat others poorly.
Follow through with warnings, write-ups and termination if needed. Some workplaces suffer shootings and other violence. Be cautious whenever dealing with a situation where someone already seems volatile. A no bullying policy can prevent things from getting to the point where someone’s life feels threatened.
Don’t Wait to Invest in Mental Health
Every day that passes where mental health isn’t a priority is a day closer to someone leaving from the stress or aggravation of it all. Poor mental health management can impact physical health and result in lackluster results. Spending a little time now ramping up the availability of programs ensures a business will have happy, healthy and productive employees tomorrow.
Eleanor is editor of Designerly Magazine. Eleanor was the creative director and occasional blog writer at a prominent digital marketing agency before becoming her own boss in 2018. She lives in Philadelphia with her husband and dog, Bear.
The post Why More Mid-Level Businesses Need to Invest in Their Team’s Mental Health appeared first on Enterprise Podcast Network – EPN.
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