Employees drive more profits and maintain better competitiveness when they feel valued by their employers. Especially in a business world that is progressively driven by innovation, inventiveness and pro-activeness. Oppositely, neglecting an employee’s concerns or making them feel disconnected or trivial, seems to backfire on corporations.
Particularly during the Covid-19 pandemic, some companies might need to adopt safety measures requesting employees to change their working habits overnight. Employees might need to work remotely rather than together with colleagues. Unpredicted stress due to feelings of isolation can occur.
Therefore, mental health in the workplace should not be underrated. Once you start investing in your employees’ mental health, you will reap these benefits:
- Increased productivity - allowing your business to thrive
- Addressing wellbeing in the workplace boosts productivity by up to 12% (Studies from the University of Warwick in 2016)
- Every HK$10 spent by companies on mental health interventions, an average of HK$43.20 will return (Report from Stevenson-Farmer Review of Mental Health and Employers in 2017)
- Increased work engagement
- Reduced absenteeism and turnover
According to research, businesses that are involved with mental health are more successful.
When taking a step back from work for mental health, employees are able to look at solutions to work issues with fresh eyes. Decision-making, communication, and essential skills at work that are influenced by mental fatigue can be improved when the brain goes to rest mode. A laid-back mind and downtime allow employees to come up with more ideas and further enhance productivity.
Having good interpersonal relationships is one of the foundations of raising employees’ work engagement. However, working under the pandemic, employers have fewer chances to connect with their colleagues. This can result in disengagement. On top of that, mental health issues make it even more challenging for employees to go the extra mile into their work.
To increase employees’ commitment to the company, providing adequate support (e.g. a relaxing team gathering) to employees’ mental health problems is necessary.
In a hectic or ruthless working environment, employee absenteeism is considered another outturn of mental health matters. Employees who are experiencing mental health issues will have more chances of requesting for absence or even resigning.
Employers, as key drivers, should take the initiative to enhance workers’ mental needs and health. When employees can work in an environment under moderate pressure and be given ways of stress releasing, they will feel more connected to the company. And that increases loyalty and minimizes staff turnover.
Here’s to companies who invest in their employees’ mental health!
PS: some ideas for a first step you can take towards investing in your employee's mental health.
