How are you supporting your employees’ mental health?

We could not have anticipated almost a year of lockdowns, life changes and working from home. While some of us WFH have settled into life with multiple screens, home offices and video calls, some have found that long term WFH has been detrimental to their health in more ways than one. In this connection, there are still steps employers can take to ensure the mental health of their staff is fully supported. In this blog I look at some of the steps and commitments employers can make to support their staff at this challenging time.

Communication is KEY!

Be transparent, keep your employees updated about business developments, be open with them and communicate in a clear way, avoiding multiple memos and emails. Schedule regular check-ins to ask how they are feeling and have a system in place to support wellbeing if an employee feels this is in decline.

Be aware that video meeting burnout is a real issue, with many employees filling their commute time with meetings. Be aware of how many meetings your employees are attending daily. Are they getting sufficient breaks from screen time? Is there a policy to minimise screen and mental burnout?

There is a place for virtual team events, like quizzes or drinks which can support isolation but remember these are not for everyone, so it is down to your professionalism to gauge what works for your team. After looking at a screen all day does your team relish Zoom drinks, use professional judgement and ask your employees what they would prefer to do.

Some offices have open Teams, Zoom or WhatsApp sessions where employees can work independently but chat if they need to and have the ‘noise’ of an office. Yes, this sounds strange, but it can work very well and encourages those conversations and informal chatter that are lost when you aren’t working within a traditional office space. 

Get to grips with your Mental Health Support Protocols

Employee mental health support is not just down to HR departments! Develop a consistent mental health training programme. Support managers and team leaders in learning how to recognise signs of declining mental health in their employees. They also need a clear idea of what to do and how to support employees should they require short- or long-term help. This engagement should happen at all levels of business and above all offer the highest levels of support available. Effective, proactive online training is available and is something I can offer, as well as one-to-one sessions and small group work. Please get in touch if you need support and guidance. 

Address Flexible working

One thing that’s come from the WFH changes is the realisation that flexible working can be productive, and flexibility is possible. Ideas such as ‘core hours’ where teams can work together and flexi hours can help to minimise screen time, encouraging proper breaks, healthy working practices and time for childcare and home life.

Do ensure there is flexibility for employees to manage home schooling or other caring commitments and that expectations are realistic. Supporting working parents in this way will ease the pressures they are under and result in a much more open and happier virtual workplace.

 Celebrate and be proud of the small stuff!

Whether it's weekly or daily, make sure progress is celebrated – no matter how small. With the massive changes in the workplace, positivity is so important, as is being a valued employee. A public or one-to-one thank you or congratulations can really make a difference to morale and positive mental attitude.

 If you need any support in preparing a workplace mental health protocol, training, small group or one to one mental health services please get in touch. I offer a range of courses, workshops and therapies that are proactive and helpful for the workplace.