The Importance Of Employees' Emotional Well-Being
Taking care of your team's well-being is more than just making sure your employees are physically healthy. It's also crucial to consider their mental and emotional state, especially now that remote work has introduced new challenges. That's why HR professionals and team leaders need to prioritize emotional wellness in the workplace. Unfortunately, not all organizations have initiatives to support employees struggling with mental health conditions like anxiety and depression, which can lead to burnout and other issues. But you can have a significant impact on their well-being by promoting a positive and supportive work environment. Let's see how mental health affects productivity and how you can protect your employees' emotional health with 6 practices.
How Mental Health Issues Impact Employee Performance
Decreased Productivity
Sometimes, mental health issues like anxiety can make it challenging for individuals to concentrate and complete their daily tasks. In addition, it can impact their stamina and ability to meet deadlines. This hurts their performance and the company's productivity rate. It's important to remember that individuals facing these problems may take constructive criticism personally, which can negatively impact their confidence and engagement.
Low Engagement
When employees are unfocused, they feel unmotivated to try harder. Each task becomes a burden, and their job doesn't offer them any satisfaction. They may not participate in team events, brainstorming sessions, or meetings, and they slowly isolate. This feeling of being unfulfilled will most likely push them to seek jobs elsewhere. So, make sure you notice these signs and address issues early on, offering them the support they need to stay engaged.
Absenteeism And Presenteeism
Absenteeism and presenteeism are common effects of mental health issues and affect more people than you realize. If you notice your employees taking many days off or calling in sick more often, it's called absenteeism. It's a sign they struggle and probably need support. On the other hand, people who feel stressed or depressed can be present at work but not productive at all. This is called presenteeism and needs to be addressed immediately so it won't hurt personal and corporate success.
6 Strategies To Foster Emotional Well-Being
1. Mental Health Resources
It's easy to neglect your mental health when you're too busy at work dealing with stressful workloads. This is why mental health resources and services at work are vital. They're right at your employees' fingertips, reminding them to look after themselves. You can have a dedicated space for employees to meditate, read self-help books, and find other resources that will ease their stress. Also, an available counselor or therapist is a game-changing solution. They can offer a helping hand and a sympathetic ear to employees who want to seek help and share the burden. From stress management sessions to therapy, your options are endless, and you must offer your staffers as many of those as you can to accommodate every need.
2. Supportive Culture
Providing resources isn't enough, though. You also need to create a culture that encourages your employees to take care of their mental health and utilize every method of support available. You need to keep in mind that many people find it tough to talk about their struggles or seek help when they're going through a tough time. This is because, sadly, there's still a lot of stigma around mental health. To raise awareness and make it clear that your company is supportive, you can organize workshops or training programs. Educating your workforce will make them more empathetic and ready to help each other. This way, you will create an environment where people feel empowered to discuss their problems and seek help when they need it.
3. Work-Life Balance
We all need time to relax and recharge. When your team has the time to devote to their hobbies, spend time with family and friends, or just unwind and take care of themselves, they're more likely to come to work feeling refreshed and motivated. This can lead to higher job satisfaction and better morale while avoiding burnout. So, make sure you support your employees' emotional well-being by offering flexible schedules, encouraging time off, and promoting work-life balance. Many companies have established extra PTO for mental health reasons, prompting their workforce to recharge. Don't forget that your goal is to show your team that you value them as people, inside and outside of work.
4. Recognition
Emotional wellness can be pretty complex, but there's a small yet effective step that every leader must take. This is to appreciate and recognize the efforts and accomplishments of their employees. By doing so, you can show your employees how valuable they are to the company. Recognition also helps to reduce feelings of insecurity and inadequacy, which are huge obstacles to emotional wellness. You can try congratulating them in one-on-one interactions or group meetings when they close an important deal or complete a project. You can also make social media posts, giving them a shout-out for their accomplishments. The overall goal is to make sure that each employee feels valued, not just for their work but also as individuals.
5. Leadership Involvement
Leaders set the tone for the whole company, so it's important for them to stay connected with the whole team. They should regularly check in with their employees, listen to their feedback, and offer assistance whenever needed. Open communication is key to fostering a safe space so that every single person in the workforce can share their thoughts and concerns. However, leaders should also take care of their own emotional well-being to set the perfect example. They should openly discuss their mental health routines and celebrate every employee's efforts toward healing and wellness.
6. Digital Solutions
Technology has made it easier to receive mental health support these days. There are plenty of apps out there that can help with tools like meditation and mindfulness exercises, mood tracking, and self-help guides. And if employees need it, they can even try teletherapy from home or during their lunch break. Your company can provide its employees with access to these apps to make sure they have the help they need. This not only helps you allocate your resources more efficiently but also minimizes stigma, as people can reach out for help without fear of being judged.
Conclusion
Leaders have an important responsibility to ensure that everyone in the workplace is emotionally well—it is the key to creating a healthy and happy environment. Investing in employees' emotional well-being often leads to increased productivity and a positive workplace culture. When people enjoy going to work, they tend to communicate better with their colleagues and have a positive attitude toward innovation, thus contributing to the company's mission.
