The Business Benefits of Prioritizing Employee Mental Health and Well-being

The Business Benefits of Prioritizing Employee Mental Health and Well-Being. The Benefits of Investing in Employee Wellness Are Clear: Increased Productivity, Improved Customer Satisfaction, and reduced absent. However, it is Often Difficult to Justify the Costs of Mental Health and Well-Being Programs. In this article, we will look at the benefits of investing in employed wellness from a business perspective.

What are the main advantages of companies that focus on the mental health and well-being of their employees?

Companies that focus on the mental health and well-being of their employees can offer their employees an environment where they can feel listened to and respected.

Companies that invest in the mental health of their employees can improve their productivity, reduce costs related to work accidents and optimize the quality of the work provided by each employee. These advantages have important consequences for the company and its staff.

The advantages for the employer Investment in the mental health of employees is very beneficial for the company, because it allows: to improve its employer brand, that is to say that it gives a good image of its professional environment for potential candidates; To retain employees already present; Increase its productivity because employees will be more motivated and more available; Reduce costs related to accidents at work as well as those generated by various psychological problems such as stress, anxiety, burn out…; To optimize the quality of the work provided by each of the employees thanks to a better state of mind in the office.

Focus on your mental health

What are the long-term benefits of increased attention to mental health and well-being of employees?

Employees who are attentive to their mental health and the well-being of others tend to be more productive.

They bring more satisfaction to their work, they have fewer absences due to illness, and they feel better about themselves. Many studies show that people who care about their mental health and the well-being of others are happier, more satisfied with their lives, in better physical form and above all more productive.

Their employers are also profitable since these people can contribute more to the proper functioning of the organization.

Companies that attach great importance to the mental health and well-being of employees will be much more efficient than those who do not take this subject as seriously as they should.

It is important for the management of an organization or for a human resources manager to encourage employees to take care of them so that they can provide optimal work. If people know that they have to take care of their physical and mental health, they will do everything in their power to make it happen.

How can companies improve mental health and well-being of employees?

Mental health is an important aspect of the overall health of the employee. A good balance between professional and private life is essential to have an optimal level of well-being, which has a positive influence on productivity and yield.

Companies can make efforts to improve working conditions, in particular by offering flexible schedules, by organizing sports activities or allowing employees to have access to leisure facilities. These measures help reduce stress at work, which allows employees to be happier and therefore more productive.

The implementation of an internal policy in terms of stress prevention is essential to reduce costs related to absenteeism, but also to protect the physical and mental health of employees. In addition, this allows companies to attract and retain the best talents.

Corporate culture is a determining factor in mental well-being in a company. A good atmosphere at work promotes the feeling of belonging to a team where mutual respect for colleagues reign and effective communication between them. This contributes to creating an atmosphere conducive to mental well-being in each member of the staff.

It should not be overlooked either the importance of management: it must be transparent vis-à-vis its team so that everyone can easily integrate within the organization. If all these conditions are met, then good humor is likely to reign!

Group of people talking about their mental health

What are the best ways to help employees manage stress and reach optimal mental health?

Stress management is one of the most common reasons why workers leave their jobs. To help these people overcome this problem, there are many methods that can be applied in a workplace and are mainly focused on reducing stress.

The first thing you should do is start a daily routine: pay particular attention to your personal hygiene and your diet.

It should not be forgotten that quality and physical well-being have a major impact on the quality of your life in general.

Sleep is also important: sleep enough, take care of yourself and do appropriate physical exercises.

Relaxation is also very important, because it allows you to evacuate stress accumulated during the day and strengthen our immune system.

There are a multitude of different exercises to relieve stress; Some are simply to relax or focus on your breathing while others are to move your body to release natural endorphins that provide a feeling of well-being. Another technique is to visualize positive images in order to increase your feeling of happiness, for example by thinking at the idyllic moment when you go to the dentist!

What are the possible negative consequences for a company that does not take into account the mental health and well-being of its employees?

The negative consequences for a company that does not take into account the mental health and well-being of its employees? The risks associated with depression and stress are a major problem for organizations. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), stress is recognized as a “global problem”, having impacts on various aspects such as productivity and absenteeism.

Stress can also have effects on professional relationships, as well as the financial results of an organization. In fact, according to a study conducted by the American Psychological Association (APA) in 2014, costs related to behavioral disorders among employees would represent up to 20 % of the total annual wage costs for an average American organization. This situation is due to different factors including the lack of internal supervision, the lack of recognition or the increase in customer demand which requires more adaptability and less time available.

The majority of organizations tend to ignore these problems that affect mental and psychological health of their workforce. Indeed, it is estimated that around 70 % of people with a mental or emotional disorder receive no specific treatment.

How can companies implement programs intended to improve mental health and well-being of employees?

Stress and depression are often taboo subjects in the world of work, which can have a negative impact on productivity.

Employees who are in good mental health tend to be happier, more creative and more involved in their work. A recent study has shown that companies that implement a mental well-being policy offer better performance to shareholders than a company whose performance is focused on.

Improving the mental health of employees can be carried out at different levels: by establishing mental well-being programs that focus on food, relaxation, physical exercises, etc. By offering coaching services for employees or by implementing an external aid program for employees (such as a nurse). By generalizing measures to promote mental well-being among the whole business.

It is important that these measures are integrated into the normal operating process of the company so that they can receive all employees without exception.

You should know that these programs must be designed by specialists trained for this purpose and have recourse to qualified personnel to ensure their efficiency.

A few years ago, mental health and well-being of employees were considered an important element of the company. Today, they have been replaced by the return on investment (King) or the financial advantages of a company. However, a new research from the University of Michigan shows that companies that integrate mental health and well-being care into their global strategy can actually increase their financial return.