According to the World Health Organization (WHO), mental health at work is defined as “a state of well-being in which the individual is aware of his or her own abilities, can cope with the normal stresses of life, can work productively and fruitful and able to contribute to their community”.
How to promote mental health at work?
First of all, it is necessary to act strategically and with a focus on reducing work-related risks. Below, you can find 5 sure-fire tips for you to start taking care of the mental health of your company’s employees.
1. Offer flexible working hours
The COVID-19 pandemic accelerated the processes of total flexibilization of working hours. Thus, the labor law authorizes the work at home office or even hybrid journeys.
Under normal conditions, urban chaos brings together a series of possibilities that can reflect on the mental health of employees. Think, for example, of the daily commute of that talent who lives far from the company. Certainly, this person has fewer hours of sleep, less leisure time and more space for the stress settles in the mind.
So, how about combining the useful with the pleasant? By making the working day more flexible, the company makes the employee’s life more comfortable. To begin with, the comfort of home reduces the possible pressures that occur in face-to-face work. In addition, remote or even hybrid work saves the professional from the tiring effects provided by the dubious quality present in urban mobility in large Brazilian cities. New technologies even facilitate all the work of managing hybrid or remote journeys. After all, tools like check Point digital electronics are instrumental for HR managers to do their work efficiently, smoothly and safely.
2. Implement programs and benefits associated with mental health
The health plan is, in fact, the main benefit related to well-being. But what if, in addition to the coverage of psychologists and psychiatrists already offered, the company boosts the issue of programs and benefits associated with mental health?
As a starting point, the employer might consider hiring a professional to talk to employees periodically—monthly, perhaps. In addition, it is worth considering the possibility of partnering with companies related to mental health, precisely in the sense of offering discounts to employees.
These movements tend to contribute to the balance of individuals, who will have the security of knowing that they can count on some external help at these times. Furthermore, putting mental health at work as a priority, it is also an opportunity to make working in your organization much more attractive in the eyes of talent.
3. Train leaders who support those they lead
In short, the leadership has the role of inspiring, motivating and guiding teams towards high performance. However, certain common mistakes made by managers are catalysts for mental health problems in the workplace.
The little attention to professional recycling processes, the high level of demand, and the lack of assertive communication, for example, are wrong behaviors for a leader. To solve problems of this nature, leaders need to map the behavioral profile of employees. After all, each person reacts in their own way to different situations.
In turn, companies should invest in training programs so that their leaders learn how to act in a way that does not compromise the mental health of their subordinates. It is recommended that this type of action be periodic. After all, there is a constant need to update knowledge and integrate new leaders into the guidelines addressed.
Here at Conexa, we have developed BETI, our wellness at work program, which helps leaders to develop, applying concepts of empathetic, humanized and positive leadership in their daily lives. Learn more about the program by clicking here.
4 – Modernize internal communication
Mental health is still a taboo for many entrepreneurs and, especially, for most workers. On many occasions, these two actors in the corporate scenario fail to identify these problems, treating constant stress, anxiety and even depression with a mistaken naturalness.
To deal with the dire scenario above, it is imperative to have an efficient internal communication system. The importance of modernization in this sector is due to the fact that not everyone feels comfortable in “face to face” conversations, but vents in spaces such as forums and private channels. people can demonstrate without risk of being judged.
5. Promote social interaction events
Mental health in the company also depends on the bonds built by collaborators in the work environment. After all, good relationships between colleagues and teams help build a more pleasant working environment. As a result, the quality of deliveries or services provided is increased.
And how can the company act to stimulate this situation? Simple: just promote social interaction activities that strengthen the connection between employees. In this sense, it is providential to hold events that make the environment more informal such as, for example, coffee breaksget-togethers and happy hours.
These socializations are essential to create a friendly atmosphere and awaken a sense of belonging. Furthermore, they help to eliminate the presence of the infamous “pans” or the infamous “radio runners”.
Consequences of lack of care for mental health at work
Now that you know how and why to promote mental health care in the workplace, the time has come to understand the consequences of leaving this matter in the background. Below, you can see some of the losses that the absence of concern with this foundation can trigger.
- Absenteeism (lack of punctuality and attendance);
- Presenteeism (happens when the employee shows up for work, but is unable to fully dedicate himself to his tasks);
- Increased turnover;
- Increased leave due to leave;
- Increased diagnosis of depression, anxiety, burnout and stress;
- Early retirement.
The above consequences start a domino effect that starts with a free fall of professionals’ income and, at best, ends with a reduction in profits. In more fatal cases, the company may even find itself in the position of having to go out of business.
If you’ve made it this far, you’ve certainly noticed that efforts to strengthen the issue of mental health at work represent a set of investments whose return is invaluable. After all, care for the company’s human capital is one of the pillars of success. How about taking advantage and getting to know Viva Psychology? Access: https://www.psicologiaviva.com.br/
