Beyond Productivity: Prioritising Employee Empowerment, Wellbeing, And Mental Health

Overall good holistic well-being translates to better workplace performance. However, stress is an inevitable occurrence in the workplace. According to statistics from?Mercer , one in two employees feel stressed daily. The best course of action here is to invest in employee mental health benefits, contributing to overall employee empowerment.??

In this article, we will discuss what it means to prioritise employee well-being and empowerment in the workplace and how it can positively affect employees’ mental health.

What Is Employee Well-Being?

Employee well-being is employees’ overall mental, physical, emotional, and economic state. Many factors influence this.?

An employee’s absence can directly correlate to their well-being in the workplace context. As stated by a?2020 CIPD survey , there is a 37% increase in stress-related absence. In the same document, 89% of employees said they have worked while feeling unwell.

If an employee does not feel well, one aspect of their well-being may be holding them back — hindering them from unleashing their peak performance.?

Elements Of Employee Well-being

Well-being comes in many different forms. It transcends beyond the workplace and is a universal experience for everyone.?

Here are the five elements of employee well-being to take into consideration.?

• Career?– This pertains to the career path one has taken. It is also what one does every day in their workplace. Do the employees have the chance to make a difference in their work? Can they pursue learning opportunities and courses beyond what they do in the workplace?
• Social?– This refers to an individual’s existing relationships with people. Does the workplace environment enable employees to foster good professional relationships with their team members?
• Financial?– This pertains to how one manages their money.?Inevitably, one’s financial resources directly contribute to their quality of life. Do the employees get paid fairly?
• Physical?– Physical refers to one’s bodily functions. Personally, I stretch my body after a long day at work. I also exercise so that I can be healthy. Do you give your employees enough work-life balance so they have the same chance to exercise?
• Community?– Community is about how one can find their place in the world. It can be personal, but it depends on the situation.?Do your employees feel fulfilled in their community?

These elements are distinct, but overall, they contribute to an individual’s holistic well-being. If any of these elements are not fulfilled, it can affect an employee’s mental health.?

Challenges To Sustain Employee Well-Being

While well-being varies from person to person, it is essential to show empathy. As employers, we must cultivate a work environment supporting mental health.?

Here are the challenges that hinder an employee’s well-being.

• Leadership?– The leadership mandate in a company sets the tone for the workplace and its policies. If the leader’s management style is not pro-employee and does not complement well to their employees, it can affect their performance. A poor leadership style can increase stress tenfold. For example, micromanagement makes inefficient changes to employees’ mental health. In short, leadership should be an inclusive practice that involves everyone.
• Workload?– The daily workload in a working day can be another challenge to look out for. In the banking industry, busy days are unavoidable. Because of the heavy workload, their well-being may plummet. Managers must delegate attainable workloads at a manageable pace. This ensures that quality work gets maintained and employees can focus on their well-being.?
• Social Support?– Employees in the workplace need social support to thrive. This is because collaboration brings a positive impact on their well-being. However, avoid comparing your employees’ performance. It can bring low self-esteem, and as a result, toxic relationships may arise from it.?
• Motivation?– Motivation can challenge the employees’ sense of monotony. If the tasks in the workplace daily stay the same, it affects their motivation and performance. The more they are motivated to do it, the more likely they will deliver better task results.?

How Mental Health Impacts Businesses

Mental health is a vital aspect of an employee’s well-being. It affects how much an employee can finish tasks or make decisions. Companies should prioritise mental health to help look out for their employees.?

Fortunately, companies are now taking measures to fill in these gaps. These come in the form of?employee empowerment , such as motivational seminars and having the chance to listen to an inspirational keynote speech. Companies can also provide opportunities for employees to voice their concerns to create positive changes in their mental health. It is essential to remember that the employer must look out for their well-being in any way possible.

Employer’s Responsibility In Employee Well-Being

As employers, checking on your employees is a good business practice. It is because you can look out for them and improve their performance at work.?

Here are three reasons why:

• Work and life aren’t mutually exclusive?– Research from?Gallup ?shows that work influences life satisfaction, and home influences work satisfaction. Some moments in their personal life can affect their mood and work performance.?
• Employers can improve well-being?– An employer’s management style determines an employee’s well-being. The guidelines should include pro-employee codes such as health benefits and nondiscrimination policies. However, there are boundaries, as this follows a workplace context. Ensure that employers stay within the limits so employees can thrive more effectively.?
• The more elements present, the more they thrive?– In the five aspects of well-being, issues with one or more can hinder an employee’s performance. It can manifest through health problems, burnout, and anxiety. You must cultivate a positive workplace culture so their well-being can improve. Employers can also create wellness programs to address their employees’ well-being.

Employee Well-Being And Employee Empowerment

Employee empowerment and well-being are connected. On its own, employee empowerment helps keep employees happy and motivated to do their jobs and is critical to a company’s success. On the other hand, employee well-being is the state of employees’ mental and physical health within and outside the workplace. According to?Gallup’s research , managers are the conduits that link employee well-being and engagement.?

Empowered employees are more comfortable discussing their well-being with their managers than those who are not. If you prioritise employee well-being, burnout drops and lessens risks among employees. Therefore, hiring good managers who are skilled at communicating with their team members is crucial.?

Why Should Employers Invest In Employee Well-being?

Today’s employees expect their employers to provide them with a place to thrive. However, the effort goes beyond merely reaching out. It also takes effective communication between employees and managers – and the right amount of investment.?

Running a company is not only limited to bringing more profits. It is also about looking after your employees and ensuring they are doing well. Investing in employee well-being goes a long way, helping the company in the long run.?

Here are the benefits of prioritising employee well-being. These include:?

• Higher employee morale?– When employees feel safe to discuss their concerns about their mental health with their managers, they feel more motivated to work and stay because they know their managers care for them and want good things for them. When employees have their needs met, they also feel valued and confident in their workplace. As a result, they will be more motivated to work well and productively.?
• Increased productivity?– A holistically healthy employee will be productive. As a result, they will be more likely to finish their tasks on time and be more productive while working. As a result, the company will enjoy an improved quality of service.?
• Better talent cultivation?– One way to show that you care for an employee’s growth is to give training opportunities that will hone their talents. If you make your employees feel valued, invested in, and cared for, they will be more likely to stay the more likely they provide better output. In addition, if your company cultivates a reputation for caring for its talents and employees, it can also attract talented prospective employees to apply for your company.?
• Reduce health risks?– An important well-being factor is physical and mental health. Employers can provide policies and initiatives that help employees reduce their health risks and look after themselves. For example, employees can use leaves to rest and recover from big workloads if they have time-offs. This also lowers the spending costs on healthcare. As a result, they feel more refreshed and take the next day in stride.

Prioritise Employee Well-Being With The Mental Rockstar Program!

Employee well-being is the overall state of an employee’s health that results from within and outside the workplace. As employers and managers, what links directly to employee empowerment is the role of the managers. Ultimately, well-being stems from an employer’s responsibility to provide a supportive work environment.?

The Mental Rockstar Program aims to build employee empowerment and well-being within your organisation. Led by YuJin, an award-winning mental toughness coach, former lawyer, and investment banker, the program provides robust and fully customised seminars and speeches to unleash peak performance.?Contact Mental Rockstar ?now to build a better workplace culture!