There is the common phrase that you don’t need to work harder, you need to work smarter. This phrase is true for determining the success of a company. And working smarter all starts by taking care of your employees and promoting mental health wellbeing.
According to the American Institute of Stress, one million U.S. employees miss work each day due to workplace stress. There are many positive results found in encouraging a healthier work-life balance for employees. These include not only health benefits for the workforce, but also more revenue.
Here’s why.
The U.S. Surgeon General’s Report on Mental Health in 1999 noted 79 billion dollars of annual loss to businesses from loss of productivity and absenteeism relating to indirect costs of untreated mental health disorders. So, by addressing mental health concerns, you have the chance to improve the quality of life and the quantity of financial gain in your organization.
A healthy lifestyle should continue at work
A healthy lifestyle is exactly that – a lifestyle. It shouldn’t be put on pause at the office. You should be able to keep up with the habits needed to be healthy while still getting your work done. In order for this to happen, workplaces need to provide the programs and facilities needed to support their workers’ wellbeing. These may include anything from healthy dining options to ergonomic equipment as well as group fitness to private meditation.
A healthy lifestyle also includes allowing employees time to spend with their families. Family is important. Some workplace stress comes from workers having to decide between work commitments and family commitments. If the workplace allows for a proper work-life balance, then employees shouldn’t often find themselves needing to choose.
A weekend isn’t enough
Workplace attendance suffers when workers feel overworked, overwhelmed, and incapable of handling stress. And sometimes a weekend isn’t enough to recuperate.
Finding a way to better care for workers can reduce absenteeism and increase productivity. Sometimes this is as simple as allowing for autonomy at work, the option to work from home, or encouraging employees to take their full vacation time.
Randstad, a multinational human resource consulting firm, in 2004 found that 70% of employees feel they need to work overtime to get ahead and 62% of employers agree. They also found that 80% of people believed their companies expect too much from them.
Some people aren’t willing to admit they have anxiety or depression because both are often not seen by management as legitimate excuses. Hopefully, with the growing of awareness for mental health disorders this stigma will change. How do we change it? Open communication and education are key. Mental health subjects shouldn’t be taboo. Mental health problems can be more debilitating than physical ailments, and they need to be talked about.
