Why Promoting Mental Health at Work is Important

Promoting mental health in the workplace can benefit both employers and employees by improving:

• productivity
• mood
• employee satisfaction
• staff retention
• teamwork

Promoting mental health also makes economic sense because it decreases:

• short- or long-term medical leave due to physical or mental illness brought on by workplace conditions
• the need to replace staff
• workplace injuries and accidents caused by the inability to focus due to stress and other mental concerns
• rates of missed work due to stress, exhaustion or depression
• the inability to successfully complete work

Promoting mental health in the workplace for employers includes the following.

1. Be clear about tasks and work responsibilities.
   • Make sure job descriptions are current, clear and specific.
   • Discuss with employees how their work contributes to the organization.
2. Assign manageable workloads.
   • Ask employees for input on how to better organize work to meet deadlines.
   • Work with employees to develop realistic project goals and work plans.
3. Provide opportunities to learn and grow professionally.
   • Support development of interpersonal, emotional and job skills.
   • Create a mentor program that links new employees to experienced ones to nurture an environment of professional support.
   • Post jobs internally first.
4. Have conflict and dispute resolution practices in place.
   • Use a problem-solving method that will:
     • explore the issue from everyone’s perspective
     • understand the concerns of all parties
     • develop different options
     • choose a solution that works for everyone
     • carry out the solution
     • evaluate outcomes to see if they were successful
5. Involve employees in decision-making.
   • Discuss how their work fits into the decision-making process.
   • Give employees an opportunity to provide input and receive feedback.
6. Recognize employee work achievements in a fair and timely manner.
   • Reward a team that works well together.
   • Celebrate important workplace anniversaries.
   • Make sure employees eat when they have to work overtime.
   • Host activities for all employees like a summer barbecue.
   • Offer flexible work arrangements.