Employers are now more responsible than ever for their employees’ mental health.
Employees are more likely to seek help from their employers. Firms that prioritize employee wellbeing see better results in terms of retention and performance.
Here are some tips to improve workplace wellbeing at the start of the new year.
Find out what your employees think
It is not necessary for ideas to improve mental wellbeing to come from the CEO, manager or wellbeing leader. Your employees are the most likely to come up with good ideas on how to improve employee wellbeing.
Ask them what they think – What do we do well now? What are the areas where we can improve?
You’ll get a better idea of your employees’ needs. They will also feel valued and listened to, which is a great way to improve mental health.
Take into consideration your workplace
Lighting is important at this time of the year because there is so little natural lighting.
Is your office well-lit? Is your office temperature comfortable? Have a few small heaters on hand for people who feel cold. It will make a huge difference.
Are there any plants or greenery at your office? Plants in the office have been shown to reduce stress, improve air-quality and increase productivity. Don’t forget about watering and feeding them!
Regularly check in with your employees
It’s important to ask them how they feel, whether it’s at team meetings or just in ad hoc conversations.
Seasonal Affective Disorder, or Winter Blues (SAD), is a condition that causes feelings of sadness and depression during the winter months.
By checking in with colleagues, you show them that they are valued and cared for.
Never underestimate the power positive feedback
Simple “Well done” or “Thank you for all your hard work” can go a long way. It’s easy for employees to view their hard work in the context of targets and KPIs.
Telling someone that they are appreciated and their hard work has been noticed is very inexpensive.
Remind staff of support available
If you offer an Employee Assistance Programme or Mental Health First Aiders, letting your employees know about the support available and how to access it will encourage them to reach out for help when they need it.
Consider what causes stress in your workplace
You might be able do something when you are aware of the factors that contribute to poor health. Simple changes can often be the most beneficial.
We can acknowledge the people affected even if we cannot change what is causing the stress.
It can feel more supportive to say: “Well, there’s nothing that I can do.”
Remind employees that it is okay to not be okay. It’s not okay to feel that way all the time
We feel better when we talk about our feelings.
By spreading the message that it is okay to discuss mental health, we can remove the stigma that can be attached to how we feel.
Simple email or posters that say: “We are aware that many people struggle with mental health at this time of the year” can be very powerful in tackling stigma. The message “It’s normal to feel like this and it’s OK to talk to someone” can help to reduce stigma.
