April 13, 2021|Corporate Mental Health

As an employer, how comfortable are you talking about mental wellbeing in the workplace? This is an important question, as there’s a common misconception that mental health issues should not be discussed in a professional environment.

This is absolutely not the case.

We spend one-third of our lives at work, which equates to 90,000 hours over the course of a lifetime. And much of that time is spent feeling stressed. In fact, 45 per cent of Canadians say their job is the most stressful aspect of their lives.

Whether we like it or not, the workplace is where mental health conversations should be happening. Employee wellness is human wellness, and by prioritizing these conversations companies can not only increase job satisfaction, productivity rates, and presenteeism amongst employees, but they can help their staff reduce overall stress and make contribute to greater overall wellness for all.

And the best part? Promoting corporate mental health doesn’t need to be difficult or expensive. There are many simple—yet highly effective— ways employers can encourage conversation, offer support, and cultivate a stigma-free working environment.

The 7-Point Checklist for Fostering Mental Wellbeing in the Workplace

✔ Educate Employees About the Importance of Combating Stigma

Did you know that only 23 per cent of Canadians report feeling comfortable enough to discuss a mental health condition with their employer? Or that 42 per cent of working men say they would be worried about colleagues making negative comments behind their backs (if they were to disclose a mental health condition)? 

Stigma is a very real concern for employees. And it is also one of the greatest barriers preventing mental wellbeing in the workplace. For this reason, mental health training is an integral part of any corporate mental health initiative. By offering training about stigmatizing language and the negative outcomes of judging someone living with a mental health condition, we can create safer, more understanding work environments.

✔ Adopt More Flexible Working Arrangements

Allowing your team to work remotely, opt into a compressed workweek (i.e. 10 hours per day, 4 days per week) or choose from a range of start and finish times, all make it easier for employees to maintain a healthy work/life balance and juggle both their personal and professional responsibilities— a major must for overall employee wellness.

✔ Closely Monitor Employee Workloads

Overwhelm is one of the primary causes of stress and poor mental health in the workplace— and the issue is becoming more severe. In a recent study, 33 per cent of Canadians said they’re more burned out on the job today than they were just one year ago. Employers must analyze the volume of work being placed upon each of their team members and seek out ways to alleviate responsibilities when necessary.

✔ Revise Your Discrimination Policy

As an Edmonton mental health trainer, I can not emphasize the importance of tackling discrimination in the workplace enough. Employee wellness is simply unachievable in a work environment where inclusivity isn’t prioritized. A comprehensive discrimination policy addresses racism, sexism, and homophobia, as well as discrimination based on the grounds of religion, gender identity, age, disability, etc. By proactively accounting for any challenges to inclusivity, employers can ensure all staff members feel safe, welcomed, and protected in their place of employment.

✔ Make Nutrition More Accessible for Your Team

When our bodies are well-nourished and healthy, it is far easier to maintain a healthy mind. By incorporating nutrition into your corporate wellness program, you ensure all team members have an equal opportunity to take care of their bodies (and thus, their brains). Consider making free healthy snacks and fruit available to employees in a shared lunchroom or providing coverage for dietician services under your group insurance plan.

✔ Promote a Peer Support Program

While it’s important for mental wellbeing in the workplace to start at the top of any organization, there are ways employees can support management in implementing corporate wellness programs— like overseeing a peer support program. Essentially, a peer support program is a designated group of employees who participate in mental health training and help address concerns in the workplace. These team members can provide approved resources, offer constructive feedback, and give non-judgmental support to fellow employees who are struggling.

✔ Perfect Your Conflict Resolution Process

Conflict between coworkers is a significant source of stress and overwhelm. As an employer, it is your responsibility to facilitate respectful resolutions and to lead by example. Put protocols in place that protect employee confidentiality and encourage your team members to provide feedback on behaviours as opposed to personal characteristics. It is also important to encourage both parties in any disagreement to pitch possible solutions and to come up with actionable steps that can be taken to mitigate future issues.

Are you interested in improving your corporate wellness program? I offer mental health training in Edmonton that is centred on fostering transparency, validation, and connection in the workplace. Reach out today.