Data shows worrying trends among modern-day employees, with stress levels rising and mental illness becoming more prevalent. As an employer, it’s crucial to understand the importance and impact of prioritizing mental health. In this guide, we’ll outline some simple steps you can take to look after your team and champion workplace well-being.
Review your employee benefits package
Employee priorities have changed in recent years. While good pay and access to bonuses and pension plans are still important, more and more workers want access to health and well-being benefits, flexible working arrangements, and paid leave. It’s wise to review your current benefits package and ask employees for feedback and suggestions. Adjusting the package could help you boost well-being at work, improve staff retention rates and attract new talent to the business.
Examples of perks, incentives and benefits you may consider include discounted gym memberships and exercise classes, mental health workshops and training, and access to therapy and counseling. If you provide psychotherapy covered by insurance or offer employees the flexibility to take time out to attend therapy sessions, for example, you may find that your team is less susceptible to stress and other mental health conditions. You’ll also set a precedent for speaking openly about mental illness and encourage people to seek help or advice if they’re experiencing symptoms or want more support.
Manage workloads effectively
Having too much to do is one of the main causes of stress at work. Many people are familiar with the feeling of spinning too many plates and rushing constantly. As a manager, it’s important to have realistic expectations in terms of what people can do. If your team is working overtime regularly, or employees are tackling jobs that don’t fit their skill set or level of experience and expertise, make changes. You may need to recruit more staff or think about outsourcing, for example.
Enhance flexibility
Flexibility is one of the most sought-after perks for modern-day jobseekers. Many people would like to work from home, travel more frequently or have more control over their schedule. It’s not possible to work remotely in every job or give employees freedom over when they work, but being more flexible can enhance employee well-being and boost productivity. One option is to establish core hours and enable your team to manage work outside of these hours. Some people may choose to start and finish earlier than traditional working hours, while others may begin and end later.
Create a positive, welcoming and uplifting work environment
Our working environments have a significant impact on performance levels, productivity and how we feel. If you run a business, it’s crucial to create a positive, welcoming and uplifting workplace. Encourage your employees to build strong relationships, reward hard work and achievements and champion development. Try to give people time and space to talk and share ideas, promote respect and inclusivity, and be clear about your company values.
Employee well-being is increasingly important, as more and more people look for jobs that give them satisfaction and flexibility and enhance their mental health. If you own a company, there are many ways to prioritize workplace well-being. Key steps include reviewing and modifying employee benefits packages, managing workloads effectively, enhancing flexibility, and creating a healthy, supportive workplace environment.
