- Does your organization have an EAP program or another avenue to encourage employees to seek self-care?
- Do employees work in a safe environment?
- Do employees feel heard by their managers? Can they raise issues confidently?
- Do managers know to go to HR if they have a concern for an employee’s well-being?
- Does your organization prioritize time off for self-care, or allow for returning to work with an accommodation if needed?
- Does your organization have a benefits program that encourages physical wellness?
- Is your workplace inclusive? Do all people feel equal and that they belong?
How did your organization do?
For more resources, please continue along on this website.
Also available for SHRM members:
Why it’s ok for an employee to have a mental health day
Seven things to remember when your employee says they need a “mental wellness” day.
Supportive mental wellness workplace culture
Culture of listening
- Focus on who is talking, not on yourself
- Use reflective listening skills and ask "what" or "how" questions
- Encourage and model empathy
- Pay attention what is being said, and not said, to understand where there may be differences in thought
Culture of embracing feedback
- Try hard not to be defensive, rather, find value in what's being shared
- Understand the employee's point of view
- Demonstrate patience
- Speak with clarity and avoid abstract or unlikely examples
- Encourage employees to understand each other's communication styles and instill a team-based approach to achieving success
Mental Health in the Workplace: It Starts at the Top with Regular, Real Required Conversations
Mental Health affects employees in every organization at every level, yet it encompasses diagnosable conditions that are not talked about, or sometimes even acknowledged, as prevalently as other medical conditions. According to Harvard Business Review, “Despite the fact that over 200 million workdays are lost due to mental health conditions each year ($16.8 billion in employee productivity), mental health remains a taboo subject.” A study performed by Mind Share Partners, SAP and Qualtrics around the stigma in the United States, found that an employer cannot only create policies or lean on EAPs (employee assistance programs) to drive the change. Instead, the study shows that the resources that result in the most meaningful change are training for both managers and employees, as well as workplace cultural shifts to support more acceptance and support. To begin creating a culture of mental wellness and health, an employer’s approach to how they engage these discussions is critical.
Resources
Mental health
As many as 35 million workdays are lost each year due to mental illness
This content is not to be considered legal advice. We recommend that Clients speak with legal counsel as necessary.
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