It isn’t unusual for companies to overwork employees, but this isn’t an ideal practice. Fatigued employees rarely contribute to productivity which makes overtime shifts useless. Therefore, for any company to ensure they’re maximizing profit, it is far more beneficial to look after employees. An employee mental health program is a great start, as about 80% of workers in the US report high levels of stress from their job.
When stress begins to accumulate within the body, it hinders a person psychologically and physically. The ripple effect created due to this phenomenon often leads to diabetes, asthma, and even substance abuse.
An employee stopping at the ER frequently disrupts the work environment and is expensive for the company to find substitutes. So, an organization must take care of its employees before the situation escalates. Here’s how you can do this:
1. Be a Mental Health Advocate
Awareness about mental health conditions should be a part of your company policy. You should consult educational resources to prepare clear and lucrative presentations on why this awareness is essential. When you normalize mental health conversations, it helps employees to understand signs and symptoms of poor health.
This way, they can seek immediate treatment instead of collapsing under the workload. You can even invite healthcare professionals to these workshops or training sessions. Professionals with a degree in health administration online can provide more valuable insight into employee health. All it takes is one conversation to help your employees for the better.
2. Be Vulnerable
Did you know? Mental health issues can make an individual feel isolated. When employees don’t know anyone who feels the way they do, they feel alone. As a leader, you’re setting an example for your staff. The way you interact, indulge, and treat everyone leaves a lasting impact. Therefore, never undermine the power your influence has in reshaping your worker’s life. So, you should try and be vulnerable in front of your employees where you can.
You may talk about the most challenging moments of your life and how they made you feel. Give them details such as your struggle with anxiety and depression and how they’re not synonymous with weakness. Sharing experiences bring people closer. Your employees may begin to practice complete transparency with you and each other. It will enable the entire company to take care of each other. If an employee needs some time off, you’ll know what to do. The gears of your business will never falter; instead, the office atmosphere will become healthier.
3. Offer Resources
Sometimes books and presentations on mental health are not enough. Employees need professional guidance too. You can take this opportunity and hire a mental health counselor. Professionals with an online masters in counseling are an excellent addition to this job. They know how to talk to your employees as a whole and on an individual basis. A counselor can offer your staff realistic and holistic advice on their condition.
They can build a step-by-step program that would elevate employee wellness. When different resources work in unison, they offer more impact than a singular attempt at healthiness. When employees know they have an outlet to make them feel better, they feel motivated to work. Counselors can also submit quarterly reports on your staff and explain their situation to you better. So, you should include mental health professionals as a part of your company budget.
4. Track Mental Health as Statistics
Numerical data helps visualize how well a company is doing. When you calculate sales performance, you want a statistical analysis to comprehend its success. It would be best if you extended the same logic towards mental health. It is not enough to have a general outlook on what your employees are going through. You want accurate data, so you know where they are struggling the most.
Surveys can help, so ask your employees to fill out survey forms so that you can track down the source of their problems. Suppose your employees feel stressed because they are unable to manage their finances. As an organization, you can help them by keeping workshops on successful budgeting. Working with statistics will help you overcome the problems your employees face in a much more efficient manner.
5. Practice Adaptability
As an organization, you may feel tempted to keep your employees for longer hours. However, it would help if you avoided this practice. When you overwork your employees, you pay additional costs for their recovery. Therefore, you should strive to create an environment that is better structured and more organized. It would help if you encouraged your employees to define their boundaries.
Let them have paid vacations and once they sign out from work, let them relax. It will also help if your office has spaces for them to take a power nap. When you make your organization more adaptable to your employee’s needs, they respond positively. They won’t just feel cared for, but they may even appreciate everything you do for them, cultivating a healthier and much more productive work environment.
6. Manage Crises
Businesses aren’t always sailing smoothly. There are many bumps and obstacles along the way. A tremendous amount of stress occurs from an organizational crisis. You can help avoid piling pressure by setting a management plan in place. However, this may require close attention to the details of your company and the projects you are overseeing.
Appoint team leaders and divide your company into a set of teams. Make sure every project has an alternate route for its completion. It would help if you kept a professional crisis management team that can work under mounting pressure. Establish a transparent communication system so that if a team needs help, other members know how to respond. Crises are inevitable but planning for them saves you immense trouble.
Wrap Up
Mental health matters for all your employees, and as an organization, you can help them take care of themselves better. You can start by normalizing conversations on mental health, but don’t be afraid to show your vulnerable side and help your employees see you in a more humane light. You may provide them with different resources such as counselors and books.
Convert mental issues into a statistical figure so you can help employees better. Be a more adaptable and approachable company that prioritizes employee needs over anything else. Finally, establish a crisis management plan to avoid chaos within a company. These measures will enable you to take care of your employees better.
