5 Strategies for Prioritizing Mental Health and Wellbeing in Your Workplace
Employee health and wellbeing is directly associated with the productivity and success of an organization.
In October 2022, the U.S. Surgeon General released a new Framework for Mental Health and Workplace Wellbeing, which places a critical focus on five key principles that lead to healthy workers — both physically and mentally.
Keep reading for the areas of focus and actionable steps you can take as managers and organizational leaders to create a healthy environment and foster workplace well-being.
Did you know?
In a 2021 survey of adult workers, 76% of respondents reported at least one symptom of a mental health condition, an increase of 17 percentage points in just two years 2.
How to get started:
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Increase access to workplace training and job tools, and review workplace safety requirements.
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Examine workloads to reduce long working hours and overtime shifts, and prioritize rest.
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Communicate the importance of mental health, and model healthy habits as a leader.
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Confront structural racism and microaggressions by enhancing training and reporting.
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Consider people with accessibility needs with goals of full participation, accommodation and modifications.
Did you know?
The U.S. remains the only advanced economy in the OECD that does not require paid medical and family leave to its workforce 3. It’s the least accessible benefit, available to only 23% of civilian workers overall, and only 7% of workers in the bottom 10% wage category.
How to get started:
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Increase employee control over how, when and where work is done.
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Create family friendly policies such as hybrid work and flexible start/end times, recognizing that caregiving outside of work falls disproportionately on women.
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Respect boundaries between work and home, and model behavior by limiting digital communication outside of work hours.
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Make schedules as flexible and predictable as possible.
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Increase access to paid leave.
Did you know?
Wage is a significant social determinant of health and wellbeing 4.
How to get started:
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Provide a living wage.
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Empower your workers to engage in workplace decision making to increase enthusiasm and commitment. Encourage participation on committees and utilize engagement surveys.
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Measure employee engagement to hold leaders accountable. Add metrics to your strategic plan and scorecards.
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Verbally express your appreciation for team members consistently. Recognize outstanding work and create an award program if you don’t have one!
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Align employee position descriptions with strategic organizational goals.
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Ask the question: What matters to you?