Talks about workplace health and safety and mental health are long overdue. We live in a fast-paced world, and virtually everything seems to be moving at lightning speed — including workplace safety practices and healthy work-life balance, among other similarly critical issues.
Because of the need to meet tight work schedules and deadlines, one has to be mindful of their mental health.
As an employee, the least your employer can do is provide a safe and supportive work environment.
An environment where you are not overburdened or overstretched to deliver assignments or get work done. If an employee doesn’t get the necessary support they need and feels their physical and mental well-being is not taken seriously, the chances are that they will bolt and take their skills elsewhere.
In this article, we discuss key strategies that employers can leverage to support their employees in the United Kingdom.
Here are some things every employer should keep in mind when planning for employee health and safety.
In addition to keeping the floor clean and not slippery and providing the right equipment for the job, here are other items you should have on your checklist;
Table of Contents
1. Keep an eye out for the signs
Top on the list of the to-do list in ensuring your employees are well treated and their mental health is well catered to is watching out for the signs. Some of these signs include mood swings, changes in behavior, decreased productivity, and increased absenteeism.
If you notice your employees exhibiting any or a combination of these signs, you should have a conversation with them and see how you can be of help. You could offer mental health therapy or make arrangements to reduce their workload. This would help to reduce stress.
2. Promote a positive workplace culture
Promoting a positive workplace culture is one proven way of promoting positive mental health. The idea is to create and make employees feel a sense of community and belonging. As such, providing opportunities for professional growth.
Consider reducing workplace stressors such as creating flexible work arrangements, applauding employees’ achievements, and providing clear expectations and feedback.
3. Address stigma
Stigma has so many negative impacts on the well-being of your employees. One way to deal with this is by creating a culture of acceptance and support. Make it easy for employees to open up and discuss whatever they are going through, and always do your best to help proffer solutions to their problems or challenges.
4. Take Action
You need to be active in expressing your commitment to supporting your employees’ mental health. This can include changing workplace policies and investing in mental health resources like therapies.
Employers should also make it a culture to regularly check up on employees to see how they are doing and if there’s anything they can do to provide additional support. In the United Kingdom, employers are a duty binding on them by law to ensure the welfare (including health and safety) of their employees.
Employers who fall short of their legal duties risk facing severe consequences and could be met with fines and lawsuits.
Conclusion
Taking care of your employees’ mental health is an effective way of encouraging workers to give their best and ramp up productivity. To crown it up, investing in your employees’ mental health will make them happy and create a healthy work environment for all. Not only is mental health important in the workplace, but general health and safety is aswell. Health and safety precautions like ensuring your employees acquire a cscs green card if they work on a construction site is a prime example of safekeeping employees.
