The right foundations. Five steps to building a healthy workplace.

When we sat down with people early in their careers, we realised that priorities had changed. Young people want to know that they’re joining a healthy, supportive workplace right from the start.

Here’s how you can improve your culture and set young people up for success.

From the time they start looking for work, young people will investigate the mental health resources employees offer.

Mental health and wellbeing should be woven through your culture and the entire employee journey. From onboarding onwards, check in often and give people the space to talk.

Some roles require high pressure and tight turnarounds. But there are ways to motivate and reward your employees through the tough times. Recovery days, leave bonuses, and work-free evenings could be the difference between performing well and burning out.

Starting a new job can leave a young person in a lonely place.

You can help by connecting them with junior employees. Some organisations connect graduates with ‘buddies’ from different teams, helping them expand their support network to like-minded people.

Junior employees can be your best allies in the recruitment and support of young people. They can communicate your policies more effectively and point new workers towards helpful resources. Make them part of the process from the very beginning and everyone benefits.

If employees think seeking help is too complicated, they won’t try.

As an employer, you can encourage help-seeking by making resources accessible, letting everyone know how to use them, and what to expect. Reassure them that any conversations will be confidential.

The young people we heard from also want clarity around role expectations. It takes time to process their responsibilities, and they won’t thrive if they’re thrown in the deep end. By simplifying job design, young people won’t need to sacrifice their wellbeing to be seen as team players.

In a 2019 report, it was found that only 50% of young employees were trained to take care of their mental health. Yet an article by the Harvard Business Review reveals that employees with the right training are more productive, collaborate more closely, stay longer, and suffer less stress.

Until now, training has focused on self-care and resilience, however, a more effective approach looks at practical skills and coping mechanisms. This training needs to be refreshed regularly, as young people continue their exposure to workplace challenges. Find a range of great training resources here.

You can’t have a mentally healthy workplace without open conversation.

Many young people fear being held back if they show vulnerability. This change needs to happen at the top. Leaders should share their own stories and struggles with employees. You also need to train managers who will carry on those open discussions with their teams.

To attract and support the best candidates, mental health needs to drive your culture. Find more tips and tools to shape that culture here.