Recently, there has been an increase in mental health concern at workplace. An employee’s mental health is adversely affected due to long working hours, high expectations, and stress at work and this lower’s an employee’s satisfaction with work and efficiency. A Mental Health Survey states that around 47 percent professionals surveyed consider workplace-related stress as the biggest factor affecting their mental health. Consequently, this kind of stress has a significant impact on an individual’s emotional and professional aspects of life. A survey infers that inadequate mental health among workers costs Indian firms about US$14 billion per annum through attrition and absenteeism. Hence, encouragement of mental health at work assumes great importance at workplace.
Employee burnout is one of the biggest issues that businesses deal with since it is the main cause of mental stress and disengagement among workers. According to a recent study that surveyed workers across 11 countries, more than half of the workers still feel burnt out at work.
An organization must identify the issues and take necessary measures to resolve such mental health problems. That is, there must be an agreement between employees and management to distribute workloads properly and guarantee normal intervals for rest and leave. It's essential that workplaces foster a supportive community and encourage positive self-care behaviours. This can be accomplished by implementing good work environment regulations, participating in employee assistance programs, and holding healthy engagement events.
Some of the signs for organizations to watch out for are:
1. Increased Absenteeism
Rapid increase in the number of sick days taken by an employee is an indication of mental health issues. Employees frequently seek breaks from the job due to stress and anxiety. The global rate of mental health disorders such as depression, anxiety, and substance abuse has increased by 13%. This increase also adds to a rise in job absenteeism. It is necessary to know who the affected individuals are at work so they may be provided with more assistance and resources needed to cope at work.
2. Lower Employee Engagement
Employees struggling with mental health issues show disengagement, lower participation, lack of enthusiasm for projects, and are less willing to share new ideas.
To build the confidence of employees and to make them feel valued, organisations must constantly appreciate and recognize their success and efforts.
3. Poor Working Environment
The stress and worry that come from working in a toxic or unsupportive environment can negatively impact an employee’s mental health. Micromanagement, mistrust, and extreme competition are signs of a poor work environment. Therefore, employees must feel comfortable discussing their well-being and seeking support and this must be ensured by organisations.
4. Isolation and Social Withdrawal
When an employee who was previously social employee begins to isolate themselves, then it is a sign of anxiety. There should be assurance within every employee that their organization is building a safe and friendly work environment where they can freely express their mental health problems without the fear of their retribution or punishment.
5. Physical Symptoms such as frequent headaches and fatigue
Fatigue, headaches, and stomach problems are certain physical symptoms that might indicate underlying mental health disorders. Therefore, providing workplace wellness programs for mental and physical health becomes essential for employees' well-being. Exercise, mindfulness seminars, fitness facilities, and mental health consultations are a few things that might help lower stress and improve wellbeing in general.
6. Increased Mistakes and poor decision Making
The possibility of errors in work or poor decision-making automatically increases if an employee has the tendency to frequently get mentally or emotionally stressed. Therefore, it is important for an employee to have a sound mental health to do any job successfully. If an individual is experiencing loneliness, having negative feelings, anger, and depression, it indicates the need for enhanced mental health support and a more positive work environment.
(Author: Dr. Ankur Rawat, Lead - Mental Wellbeing Services, HCL Healthcare)
