HR Initiatives to Improve Mental Health and Wellness

 

Mental Health and Wellness

 

What is mental health at work?

Mental well-being at work pertains to the emotional, psychological, and social health of employees within a collaborative workplace setting. Achieving a state of mental wellness involves effectively managing work-related stressors and productivity challenges to realize one's maximum capabilities. Mental wellness encompasses more than the mere absence of clinical mental illnesses, as individuals might face mental health concerns separate from diagnosable conditions (Greenwood and Anas, 2021).

Why should HR leaders care about mental health?

Mental well-being within the workplace significantly influences:

 §  Engagement: Employee involvement and active participation in their tasks. 

§  Retention: The ability to retain valuable employees over time. 

 §  Loyalty: The allegiance and commitment employees feel towards the organization.  

§  Productivity: The efficiency and output of employees' work. 

§  Satisfaction: The contentment and fulfillment derived from their job roles (Hennekam, Follmer and Beatty, 2021).

Factors contributing to poor workplace mental health

§  Insufficient Training in Health and Safety:

Inadequate education and guidance regarding health and safety protocols. 

§  Ineffective Supervision and Communication Practices:

Weak leadership and inadequate communication methods that hinder a positive work environment.

§  Extended Work Hours and Limited Rest Periods:

Prolonged shifts and infrequent breaks that impact the balance between work and recuperation.

§  Ambiguous Task Responsibilities and Restricted Autonomy:

Unclear delineation of job tasks and limited control over one's role within the organization (Hwang and Jo, 2021).

 

What are the actions HR can take to improve mental health

 

Promote employee independence

Granting autonomy fosters a sense of value and enhances the potential for employees to discover purpose in their tasks, a crucial factor for job satisfaction.

 Provide education on fundamental health practices

Organize workshops for staff and managers, covering skills like problem-solving, prioritization, goal-setting, and self-care, enabling decisions that support mental well-being.

 Foster transparent discussions about mental health

Many employees grapple with stress, anxiety, or related issues, yet often feel isolated in their experiences.

 Cultivate a serene workplace atmosphere

HR can establish a tranquil ambiance by introducing calming spaces like zen rooms.

 Integrate workplace wellness initiatives

Some enterprises can afford desirable amenities like gyms, offering a noteworthy employee benefit (Pierce and Rider, 2022).

Conclusion

Prioritizing mental well-being in the workplace is essential. HR's proactive measures, from autonomy promotion to wellness programs, positively impact engagement, retention, and overall employee satisfaction, fostering a healthier, more productive environment.

References

Greenwood, K. and Anas, J. (2021). It’s a New Era for Mental Health at Work. [online] Harvard Business Review. Available at: https://hbr.org/2021/10/its-a-new-era-for-mental-health-at-work.

Hennekam, S., Follmer, K. and Beatty, J. (2021). Exploring mental illness in the workplace:the role of HR professionals and processes. The International Journal of Human Resource Management, 32(15), pp.3135–3156. doi:https://doi.org/10.1080/09585192.2021.1960751.

Hwang, W.J. and Jo, H.H. (2021). Impact of Mental Health on Wellness in Adult Workers. Frontiers in Public Health, [online] 9, p.743344. doi:https://doi.org/10.3389/fpubh.2021.743344.

Pierce, L. and Rider, C.I. (2022). Supporting Mental Health at Work (Comment on ‘The Epidemic of Mental Disorders in Business’). Administrative Science Quarterly, 67(1), pp.56–69. doi:https://doi.org/10.1177/00018392211072479.

Rajgopal, T. (2010). Mental well-being at the workplace. Indian Journal of Occupational and Environmental Medicine, 14(3), p.63. doi:https://doi.org/10.4103/0019-5278.75691.