Healthy employees, successful business: 6 strategies to boost your employees' mental wellbeing

23.05.2024

Building a plan to boost employee well-being and unlock employee productivity

The key to a business's productivity lies in prioritizing employee well-being. When your employees feel valued and supported, they are more engaged, motivated and productive, leading to overall success and sustainability of the company.

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In the dynamic world of business, where every minute counts, productivity stands as the cornerstone of success. Yet, in this constant effort for efficiency and profitability, one key element is often overlooked - employee mental health. However, the link between employee wellbeing and performance in the workplace is a topic that has been gaining momentum in recent years.

Stress, anxiety and overworking are common problems that lead to reduced motivation to work, increased absenteeism and higher turnover rates. On the other hand, a positive work environment combined with the implementation of mental health support initiatives is shown to promote higher levels of engagement and productivity among employees. When people feel valued and supported, they are more likely to give their best in the workplace. 

Employee well-being encompasses various aspects that contribute to their quality of life. These elements can be both physical and mental. Physical well-being depends on factors such as nutrition, exercise and an ergonomic work environment. Mental well-being, on the other hand, includes a sense of purpose in life, emotional resilience and work-life balance.

So what are the golden rules for unlocking this hidden potential in your employees?

There are many ways you could make your employees feel valued and boost their motivation and productivity. Some of them are:

#1 Encourage work-life balance

Creating a work environment that prioritizes work-life balance is the key to amplifying your team's mental well-being.

One way to boost this is by promoting flexible working hours, giving your employees the opportunity to manage their schedules effectively. This could be achieved by offering work from home options or flexible working hours. By doing so, you'll demonstrate trust and respect for employee privacy, which, ultimately, reduces stress and increases productivity.

By fostering a culture that respects employees' personal boundaries, you can reduce the so-called "burnout" among your workforce. To do this, you need to set clear boundaries between work and personal time for employees, encouraging them to turn off their work phones/computers at the end of the work day, and respecting their break times.

#2 Support collaboration and teamwork

An organizational culture that nurtures collaboration, open communication, and trust creates an environment where employee productivity, creativity, and satisfaction thrive.

Cultivating an atmosphere where ideas flow freely and different perspectives are accepted encourages creative thinking and promotes the consideration of non-traditional ideas. Open team discussions can generate innovative concepts that may not have been possible to come up in an individual setting.

Also, aligning team goals with overarching organizational aspirations cultivates a sense of collective ownership. Encouraging cross-functional collaboration emphasizes the connection between individual contributions and shared successes.

It is important to build an inclusive and diverse work environment where every employee feels valued and respected, regardless of gender, race, religious affiliation, etc. When people feel accepted and valued for who they are, they experience greater job satisfaction, motivation, and overall well-being.

 

 

#3 Offer mental health support resources

This isn't just a goodwill gesture, it's a strategic investment in both the individual well-being of your employees and the effectiveness of your organization. 

It is recommended that every employer provide employees with the opportunity for confidential counseling with a professional and/or access to mental health support services for employees facing personal or work-related issues. So-called Employee Assistance Programs (EAPs) are a helpful way to provide access to trained professionals who can offer individual counseling as well as resources for managing stress, anxiety, depression, and other mental health issues. 

With its Employee Assistance Program, mental health support and flexible work arrangements, Microsoft has seen a significant 22% increase in employee satisfaction and an impressive 37% decrease in work-related stress. 

Implementing wellness programs that encompass physical, emotional and mental health, such as yoga classes, meditation sessions, fitness challenges, nutrition workshops and relaxation techniques aimed at reducing stress and promoting mental resilience, is also an effective method of supporting your employees' well-being. 

Another option is to provide your employees with opportunities to participate in volunteering activities. This will engender a sense of purpose and satisfaction, allowing them to contribute to causes they care about. Every year, the team at Edenred Bulgaria organizes a variety of initiatives for employees and partners to positively contribute to in order to build a more empathetic and inclusive culture. Participating in charitable activities has been proven to shift the focus away from work-related stressors and foster feelings of gratitude and happiness.

These strategies will assist your employees in building strategies to manage stress, develop resilience and create a healthy work-life balance, which would certainly increase their wellbeing, and therefore, productivity at work.

#4 Appreciate the achievements of your employees

Initiating employee performance reward programs is also an effective method of increasing employee engagement and motivation. The goal is to build a culture of appreciation, which will create a positive work environment where employees feel valued.

Such a program can include employee of the month awards, bonuses for outstanding professional success, and many other options. A product you can use to reward your employees for a job well done and boost their motivation is, for example, the gift card from Edenred Bulgaria. It serves as a tangible token of appreciation for your employees' hard work and dedication. 

It is important to take the time to tailor rewards to your employees' preferences and interests. This can include personalized thank you messages or small gifts that demonstrate appreciation for their specific contributions. Any gesture made to the employee strengthens their relationship with their employer and makes them feel appreciated, increasing their dedication to the job.

#5 Provide development opportunities

74% of employees say a lack of development opportunities prevents them from reaching their full potential.

In fact, nearly 6 in 10 (58%) say they are likely to leave their company if they are not provided with professional development or continuing education opportunities.

Providing career development opportunities gives employees a sense of purpose and clear direction, which builds perspective for their future progress within the organization. By nurturing their personal development, you make your employees feel fulfilled and motivated, leading to improved overall well-being.

Offering training programs, meetings and workshops to help your employees develop new skills and improve their professional abilities would boost their confidence and job satisfaction. When your employees are actively involved in their own development, they feel more engaged and committed to their work, leading to higher levels of motivation and productivity.

You have a responsibility to foster a culture of mutual development and collaboration where employees can support and learn from each other. Sharing knowledge and cross-functional collaboration will create a sense of belonging and camaraderie among your employees that will strengthen social bonds and contribute to a sense of well-being.

It is important that your employees are equipped with the skills and knowledge they need to adapt to change and deal effectively with challenges. Development opportunities that focus on building resilience, problem solving and emotional intelligence help employees manage stress and uncertainty, which boosts their overall wellbeing.

#6 Ask for feedback and act on it

The most important thing is to create the feeling that your employees can communicate about their concerns freely, as well as express their opinions and suggestions for change. This will foster trust and transparency, making them feel valued and heard, which will not only engender a sense of belonging and job satisfaction, but also positively impact their mental wellbeing.

Only 30% of employees say they feel like their opinion matters in the workplace. The truth is that more engaged employees are 18% more productive and produce 60% higher quality work than their less engaged colleagues. From another perspective, feeling heard and valued in the workplace contributes to employees' emotional well-being. When they know that their opinions matter and that they have a voice, they experience less stress, anxiety and feelings of isolation.

Actively seeking feedback and acting on it demonstrates an employer's commitment to prioritizing the wellbeing of their employees. This sends a powerful message to employees that their mental wellbeing matters and that the organization is dedicated to creating a supportive and inclusive working atmosphere.

 

 

 

 

 

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Employee mental health and workplace success are undeniably interconnected. As we've explored, prioritizing the well-being of your employees is not only morally significant, but also a strategic investment that brings tangible benefits to your organization. By fostering a culture of support, recognition and open communication, you create an environment where your employees feel valued, heard and able to thrive both personally and professionally.

From implementing employee assistance programs and providing development opportunities to seeking and acting on feedback, every effort made to support employee mental health contributes to a happier, healthier and more engaged workforce. Ultimately, organizations that prioritize the mental well-being of their employees are better positioned to attract top talent, retain valuable employees, and improve productivity, achieving long-term success. 

If you want to find out more about motivating your employees, visit our other articles:

Motivation and recognition for employees