Considering workplace stress accounts for 120,000 deaths per year in the U.S., companies must do all they can to protect their workers and find the most effective ways to manage mental health in the office or the workplace. Your employee’s mental well-being is just as–if not more–vital than their physical health, meaning you need to emphasize how to take better care of them.
So how can you do this? There are various approaches you can consider, but there is no singular solution, especially since everyone has different mental health struggles. If you want to protect your employees and create a positive and thriving workplace, here are seven ways to manage employee mental health.
Understand The Human
Part of managing employee mental health is all about understanding the human. This fundamental approach goes a long way towards ensuring psychological safety in the workplace to avoid many of the common pitfalls that companies suffer from, which causes an increase in mental health issues for their employees. It’s time to stop seeing your employees as commodities. Instead, recognize their achievements and assign projects, but also remind yourself that they have a life outside of work, too.
Improve Communication
A lack of communication can significantly hinder your office’s progress. Ultimately, no one knows where they stand or what is expected of them, which can cause mistakes, nervousness, and fear of making a mistake. Similarly, poor communication can affect your relationships with your employees. They will be less likely to come to you if they have an issue or concern, and they are more likely to bottle it up, which could impact their performance and even cause issues with your suppliers and clients, especially if no one knows who is supposed to be doing specific tasks.
Show Flexibility
The work-life balance is one of the most essential aspects of the modern workplace. Without it, employees would work too much and even spend more time at the office or on the clock than they would with their families. Managers who embrace flexibility will see positive results as their employees will still get the work done and be able to spend time with family, and friends, or even attend doctors’ appointments. This final point is perhaps most important as it ensures your employees are conscious about their health and well-being.
Consider the Environment
The workplace environment will also your employee’s mental health. Natural light is a must, but this is impossible if your office is windowless. Similarly, poor air circulation and strict rules about getting up from desks can make employees feel claustrophobic and trapped. You can improve the environment by choosing an office with plenty of natural light. you can also add plants and colorful walls or prints to make the space more exciting and boost productivity.
Recognize Toxic Behavior
While you might think that bullying is something you only find in schools, it can persist in the workplace, especially if some employees lack the emotional maturity to deal with problems like adults. Bullying is one of the biggest signs of a toxic workplace, and you must deal with it as quickly as possible. A no-tolerance policy for bullying of any kind should prevent this and make sure to write up anyone who crosses the line.
Outline Policies
Part of getting the most out of your team is ensuring everyone understands how to behave in the office. This includes rules about health and safety and what is acceptable when clocking in or out early. Make these policies clear for everybody to ensure that you can create a productive atmosphere for your team and see how they thrive in a wide range of scenarios, whether developing a new product, presenting to clients, or simply bonding with a fascinating conversation during a slow day.
Provide Support
Every employee will need support at some point. They may feel stressed about an upcoming project, or find it difficult to connect with other employees. As a manager, it’s your job to be there for them and help them manage their issues. This support is crucial for helping them become more comfortable at work and proves that your door is always open, which will inspire confidence in your team.
Managed
Managing employee mental health is all about balance. You need to give them the tools and ability to work on their mental health by ensuring a better work-life balance. However, there may be times when they are required in the office, so you must make the environment as enjoyable, safe, and positive as possible to guarantee productivity, efficiency, and happy employees.
