Well-being refers to the continued state of well-being of an individual. In the workplace, a critical aspect of supporting and maintaining good mental health and well-being is creating an environment where employees feel comfortable talking about their mental health. Unfortunately, employees who experience poor mental well-being may be hesitant to disclose it to their employer. Even if they do, they may not feel supported enough, unlike people with physical health issues.
All over the world, work stress is one of the main problems for employees in different organizations. “With a breakthrough change in workload and job descriptions in recent years, a spike in personal stress levels has been a major consequence of this changing work environment. Workplace policies and activities to promote and protect the mental health and well-being of employees vary widely. While there has been a collective effort in recent years by companies at large to increase employee engagement and well-being, research shows that organizations may not be putting their best foot forward when it comes to managing stress,” says Hemant Sethi , Country Head, India, British Security Council.
There is often a direct correlation between longer working hours and work-related stress, as people may feel the need to work longer hours to increase productivity. However, it is important to note that simply spending more hours on a project does not always guarantee increased productivity. “People often don’t realize that the quality of the time they spend working is more important, because working five hours at 100 percent efficiency is better than eight hours at 50 percent efficiency,” Sethi added.
Indian companies are starting to invest in employee well-being programs, but senior management must lead their efforts for them to be effective.
Sethi suggests some steps organizations should take to promote mental well-being at work:
- Ensure good communication
Organizations can make their employees feel valued and foster a culture of openness. It is essential for managers to have open lines of communication with their team members about their well-being at all times. - Flexible working options
Organizations can make jobs more flexible depending on individual circumstances. Whenever possible, it is advisable to consult with employees before making any changes or decisions that are likely to affect them. Employees should be encouraged to ask questions so they feel involved. - Understand and learn more about stress relievers
Organizations need to be more proactive about knowing about stress so they can point their team to additional support and help them deal with it. Managers could tell employees to use mindfulness apps or podcasts, which are known to help with stress management. - Pay attention to early signs of stress
Managers need to be more attuned to the signs of stress in their subordinates. Some common early signs of stress include poor concentration, low mood, feeling overwhelmed and irritability. If managers see any of these signs in team members, they should contact them. - Stick to what you say
Senior managers should actively promote healthy lifestyles through work-life balance, time management, full holiday entitlements and lunch breaks.
Employers can promote good mental health and well-being every day by providing an inclusive, welcoming and supportive work environment.
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