Mental health is no longer an out-of-office issue and employees are more inclined to seek support from their workplace, with firms that prioritise employee wellbeing experiencing better levels of staff retention and performance.
Beginning the new year by improving workplace wellbeing has a whole host of benefits and Nathan Shearman – director of therapy and training at mental health training provider Red Umbrella – provides his top tips on how to achieve this…
Get your employees’ opinions
Ideas for improving mental wellbeing don’t have to come exclusively from a manager, wellbeing lead or CEO. The people who are likely to have good ideas about how to improve employee wellness are your employees themselves!
Start by asking them for their views – what do we currently do well? What areas do we fall a little short on, and what ideas do you have to improve employee wellbeing?
Not every idea will be practical or possible, but you’re going to get a good idea of what your employees need. Plus, they will feel listened to and valued, which on its own improves mental wellbeing.
Consider your work environment
At this time of year, lighting plays a crucial role in wellbeing because we get so little natural light.
Are your offices well lit? Is the temperature comfortable? Top tip: have a couple of small heaters for those who really feel the cold - it makes a world of difference to them.
Do you have any plants or greenery in the office? Studies have shown that plants in the office can reduce stress, improve air quality and increase productivity. Just don’t forget to water and feed them!
Check in on your staff regularly
Whether this is line managers at team meetings, or just ad-hoc conversations when you feel the need, it’s important to find out how they’re feeling.
Winter months in particular bring with them increased feelings of sadness and lethargy associated with winter blues, or even Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD).
Checking in on colleagues lets them know they’re valued and cared about.
Never underestimate the power of positive feedback
A simple “well done” or “thank you for your hard work” goes a long way. When employees are often driven by targets and KPIs, it’s easy to see their hard work as just part of the job.
It costs very little to tell someone they’re appreciated and that their hard work is noticed.
Remind employees of the support that is available
Whether you have an Employee Assistance Programme (EAP) as part of your offering or mental health first aiders, making sure your employees know what support is there and, crucially, how it can be accessed will help them to seek help when needed.
Think about what can cause stress within your workplace
When you know what the risk factors for poor wellbeing are, you might be able to do something about them. Sometimes making simple changes can be the most effective.
If you can’t change the things causing stress, we can at least acknowledge those affected by them.
Saying to an employee: “I know this part of the job can be really stressful, if you need any support then please let me know” can feel much more supportive than just saying: “Well there’s nothing I can do about it.”
Remind your employees that it’s okay not to be okay – it’s just not okay to keep feeling that way
Talking about our feelings helps us to get them off our chests, and helps us to feel a little better.
Getting the message out that mental health is okay to talk about helps to remove the stigma and shame that can sometimes be associated with how we feel.
A simple email or poster that says: “We know that at this time of year many people will struggle with their mental health. It is normal to feel this way and it’s okay to talk to someone about it” can be very powerful in tackling stigma.
