Following on from World Mental Health Day taking place on October 10th, we want to shine a light on how employers and recruiters can protect and promote positive mental health and wellbeing in the workplace.
With 1 in 6.8 people experiencing mental health problems in the workplace, its crucial employers help to improve the UK’s mental health crisis. Evidence suggests that 12.7% of all sickness absence days in the UK can be attributed to mental health conditions. Better mental health support in the workplace could save UK businesses up to £8 billion per year, meaning fewer staff absences, increased productivity, and improved company culture
Remote and hybrid work models have reshaped workplace culture as we previously knew it, employees are increasingly concerned about work-life balances and are recognising the importance of sufficient mental health support, even turning down job opportunities that don’t meet their needs.
However, there are still barriers to investing in the right infrastructure needed to provide adequate mental health and wellbeing support. In this blog, we’ll be talking about how employees can improve mental health in their workplace.
Flexibility in the workplace can mean flexible working schedules or anything that gives employees more autonomy over their own work, which can make employees feel more valued and happier within their job roles.
Granting additional freedom will take pressure off employees’ shoulders and allow for better work-life balance, which nurtures mental wellbeing.
Employee medical packages, such as private healthcare payment plans, can take away some of the stress that frequently comes with attempting to get an appointment off since employees will have access to healthcare that would not otherwise be readily available to them.
Dental treatment, optician appointments, psychotherapy, and counselling services can also be covered by healthcare insurance and can offer a huge relief to employees in need of support.
Employee Assistance Programs (EAP’s) help employees discover and resolve problems that may threaten their mental health. These problems might vary from marriage issues to financial trouble, substance addiction, and mental health challenges.
Supporting employees through challenging times and reassuring them they don’t have to worry about jeopardizing their careers or social life by opening up during these sessions, can greatly improve workplace mental health and wellbeing.
Investing in organisation-wide training that helps build a more supportive, open corporate culture may be the most important benefit you can provide to your staff when it comes to boosting mental health. Actively combating the stigma that prevails around mental health can demonstrate to employees that you care about their mental wellbeing and want to support and nurture them during their job roles.
All employees should have access to a fitness and wellbeing service that caters for the whole employee population, delivered through a range of solutions that support both physical and emotional wellbeing. This could include exercise prescription and personal training to fitness and wellbeing classes, all supported with regular health education and promotional activities.
