By Christy Pashkovskiy, Director of Marketing

Mental health and wellbeing are at the forefront of workplace trends in 2023. After the instability we all faced during the global pandemic, stress remains at an all-time high – both at home and in the workplace. According to Gallup’s Global Workplace 2022 Report, “employees have never been more stressed,” with 60% of workers surveyed reported feeling ‘emotionally detached’ while at work. This is obviously harmful to individuals, as well as businesses. As the spotlight remains on mental health, it is important for employers to adapt and create an environment where employee wellbeing is a high priority. Below are 7 suggestions for improving employee mental health.

• Listen. Each and every employee is facing different challenges both at work and at home. As an employer, it is important to keep your door open when it comes to your employees’ mental health. Conduct surveys throughout the year to take a pulse on stress levels and be open to conversations to learn what types of challenges workers are facing and what types of solutions they think may help alleviate stress. Consistent check-ins and communication are extremely helpful.
• Ensure the leadership team is equipped to provide support and guidance for employee wellbeing. It is important for senior leaders to develop positive relationships with their team and to treat everyone fairly, with empathy. If possible, employers should incorporate mental health and wellbeing training for leaders into their overall strategy towards a happy, healthy workplace.
• Provide flexibility. Employers who acknowledge work life balance and give employees the autonomy to make decisions surrounding their schedule, see drastic benefits in employee wellbeing. As employees are all navigating diverse experiences, it can be advantageous to emphasize results versus measuring time spent at the office.
• Provide benefits. Look into helpful, affordable benefits that employees can use to improve their mental health. Examples are free or low-cost therapy, mental health apps or employee resource groups. In addition, a wellness program initiative that encourages healthy living in a variety of ways can be motivating and instrumental in employees achieving their wellness goals.
• Encourage conversations. Reduce the stigma surrounding mental health so that employees know they’re not alone. Hosting workshops, or creating open forums to talk about health and wellbeing can be helpful for employees to participate in.
• Focus on physical health as well. Physical health plays a large role in overall wellbeing. Look into offering certain testing for physical conditions, provide dietary assistance, sleep habit guidance as well as exercise benefits.
• Recognize and reward. Creating a culture where employees are recognized for their accomplishments is an important step towards great employee wellbeing. A simple ‘thank-you’ or shoutout can boost employee morale and build a positive, thriving culture.

As stress is something we all deal with, it is crucial for organizations to pay attention to their employees’ needs, wellbeing and mental health so that as a whole, everyone can take steps to improve.

“In the middle of difficulty lies opportunity.” - Albert Einstein