The Rise of Employee Well-being: Prioritizing Mental Health in the Workplace Part 1

Lee, here! ??

For at least the past decade, companies have put a heavier emphasis on prioritizing mental health in the workplace. Back in the day, the rude toxic boss was a trending and popular trait amongst the ‘best’ bosses. But in today’s work world, there is an increased awareness of the importance of mental and physical health for employee well-being and longevity.?

Companies are implementing various mental health programs, such as counseling services and stress management workshops. “Hellooo Wendy” (to those who have seen the show Billions). And with the transition to remote work with COVID, companies have generally implemented more flexible work arrangements to help accommodate all kinds of needs and improve work-life balance.?According to a survey conducted by FlexJobs, 56% of respondents stated that having a remote job has improved or would “definitely” improve their mental health.

But with all the benefits of flexible work, 78% of workers believe their company should be doing more to support their mental health (Oracle).

So what are some ways your company can help continue improving this initiative?

1. One big tip to consider is an initiative focused on destigmatizing mental health struggles and encouraging open discussions. Giving employees a clear path to seek help when needed and providing training to managers and employees on how to recognize signs of mental health issues will help support their colleagues.
2. Consider investing in various benefits such as better health insurance that covers therapy and psychiatric consultations. Create well-being programs that promote physical activity, healthy eating, and other forms of mindfulness. Ensure employees are getting adequate time off to recharge and manage personal commitments.
3. Take a preventive approach by getting leadership to promote work-life balance and provide clear communication and expectations. This will help ensure that everyone knows their roles, responsibilities, and expectations since ambiguity can contribute to stress. Also consider designing jobs and goals that are challenging but manageable, while avoiding excessive workloads and unrealistic deadlines.?

Fostering a supportive environment for mental health in the workplace isn’t just a trend, it’s a necessity for sustaining a healthy and productive workforce. With these steps, companies can create a culture where employees feel valued and supported. Let's continue to prioritize mental health, recognizing that the well-being of our employees is the foundation of our collective success.

Talk Again Soon?

That’s all for this Culture Corner! ?? I’ll be back next time to discuss how you can use metrics to measure the success of your mental health and employee well-being initiatives.

Tell me, how does your organization destigmatize mental health struggles and encourage a supportive culture for your team? Reply here – let’s keep the convo going!?

P.S.: Our next hello&demo is on Tuesday, July 16th at 12 PM ET / 9 AM PT. Enjoy a demo of Confetti’s Boom Box game plus a Q&A with one of our lovely account managers. You may even win some Confetti Credits that you can put towards your next event. Don’t wait - register today!?

With love,?

Lee Rubin (she/her)?