For many of us, nearly a third of our lives will be spent in the workplace. We spend more waking hours in our (physical or virtual) workplace than at home and often engage more with team members than family members daily.
It’s no surprise that a recent report from the Workforce Institute at UKG found that managers have a greater influence on employee mental health than therapists or general healthcare providers. In the same report, 60 percent of the people surveyed said their job was the most significant factor in their mental health.
Rates of extreme stress, burnout, anxiety, depression, and substance use disorders are at record levels. According to research from the Future Forum, burnout from workplace stress is at an all-time high of 42% since spring 2021, with women and young people most at risk. The collective impact is also staggering. Studies show that every year, up to 200 million workdays in the US are lost due to mental health challenges. Untreated mental health conditions cost the United States upwards of $3.7 trillion every year.
But it’s not all bad news. Many organizations and business leaders are taking action. Here are some steps to take in your own workplace to improve conditions and increase mental health awareness.
Commit from the top
Some organizations have moved beyond just talking about mental health at work. They recognize that mental health directly affects business performance, innovation, and culture, making it a core pillar of their future-of-work strategy. Positive workplace mental health requires investment (time, intention, and action) from all levels of an organization, including leadership, management, and employees.
Over the past few years, the significance of centering employee’s mental health and wellbeing has become more evident and many organizational leaders are making these efforts a part of their companies’ attraction and retention programs. David Ko, CEO of Calm said, “CEOs have to rethink innovation to meet people where they are, with the tools they need in this new world. And, we have to be advocates for new policies, empower our employees, and set a clear vision and purpose for the future. This is where I see myself spending most of my time in 2023.”
See how some startup founders are leading by example when it comes to employee balance and wellness in the new series, Finding Balance.
Train people managers
If managers are acutely impacting the mental health of their employees, training them how to identify, understand, and respond to signs of mental illness in themselves and others is critical to change. Mental Health First Aid (MHFA) training can reduce the stigma surrounding mental illness by promoting understanding and empathy while helping managers recognize when an employee or colleague is experiencing a mental health crisis and take appropriate action to support them. It can also provide individuals with the tools to manage their own mental health and wellbeing, leading to improved productivity and quality of life.
Change policies and culture
According to McKinsey, recent global survey data suggest that improving workplace factors, such as eliminating toxic behaviors, boosting inclusivity, and creating sustainable workloads, can be more predictive of employee mental health and wellbeing than providing access to resources alone. Structural workplace changes that support better mental health for workers are becoming increasingly important as companies recognize the impact of mental health on productivity.
Additionally, understanding and addressing the six contributing factors to burnout and auditing your own team or company can be paramount in implementing successful mental health strategies. These factors go beyond just workload, including factors like control and autonomy, recognition and reward, community, fairness, and values. When there is a lack of or mismatch in these areas, burnout is much more likely to impact your workforce.
Business leaders and people managers can make small but impactful shifts in daily work culture. Here’s a few examples:
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setting clear expectations and working norms
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offering praise for work well done
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ensuring the values of your team or organization are clear and aligned
Hush, a startup that supports mental wellness with company-wide wellness weeks
Offer flexibility in working hours
The concept of a 4-day work week is gaining momentum around the world, and for good reason. Studies have shown that reducing the workweek from five to four days can lead to numerous benefits for both employees and employers. For workers, a shorter workweek can improve work-life balance, reduce stress levels, and increase job satisfaction. It also allows for more time to pursue personal interests, which can lead to increased creativity and innovation. For employers, a 4-day work week can result in increased productivity, better employee retention rates, and lower overhead costs. Overall, the benefits of a 4-day work week are clear and it's a concept that more companies should consider implementing.
Additionally, employers can implement policies and programs that promote mental health explicitly, such as additional time off for mental health days and time off for therapy.
Advocate for yourself and others
Advocating for your mental health at work is crucial to maintaining and sustaining overall wellbeing. It involves open and honest communication about your needs, requesting reasonable accommodations when necessary, and setting clear boundaries to maintain healthy work-life harmony. Prioritizing self-care, including stress management techniques and mental health-promoting activities like therapy, is equally important. Advocacy not only fosters a better understanding of mental health in the workplace but also paves the way for a supportive, balanced, and productive work environment. Organizations like Mental Health Coalition have incredible resources on how to get the conversation started in your workplace.
About Meg Hovious
Meg is the Founder of Here, a coalition committed to changing minds about mental health through increasing mental health literacy, advocating for better mental health care for all, and driving systemic, collective change at work, in schools, and in community.
