As COVID has shown, moments of great upheaval and change can have significant impacts on the workplace, employee mental health and turnover. Having established approaches to safeguard employee mental health can be the difference between a thriving group of colleagues and a lackluster employee base and work culture.
Many employers have understood the fact that offering a flexible/hybrid approach to office work and work from home has been a game-changer for retaining valuable employees. While still facilitating the benefits of being together in the office, allowing for time to work from home has allowed employees to retain the benefits they once enjoyed. Allowing for days to pick up children, run errands or generally be in a personal safe environment have buoyed many employees sense of respect and belonging at their workplace.
Allowing for employees to pitch and manage their workloads with flexible hours can show a trust and respect that many employees respond to. With ever increasingly complex lives of vying responsibilities, of family, errands and work, being allowed to work flexible hours can ensure employees can achieve what they need to personally and professionally. Many employers have seen multiple KPI’s increase after adopting flexible work hour policies.
While not a new policy, many employers are still lagging behind. In the rush to get to the office on time, many employees forego breakfast. Having a breakfast station in the office kitchen, complete with a variety of fruits, cereals, breads, yogurts and other breakfast items can allow for employees to have a balanced and nutritional meal at the start of their working day.
As well as providing the above, many employers have received a positive reception to providing healthy snacks that allow for re-energizing throughout the day. Researching and supplying healthy snacks, fruits and drinks can mean employees have the option to replenish their energy levels, get a boost for the afternoon without being sickly and bogged down by high-fat and carbohydrate heavy snacks.
Many companies are understanding the links between the wellbeing of their employees and their overall productiveness and contentment within their roles. In some cases companies have taken a step further and implemented wellbeing programs. This includes such activities as meditation programs. Wellbeing education in areas of sleep, nutrition and exercise.
An exciting new branch of studies shows that employers that establish a mindfulness meditation program at their office have the potential to significantly reduce employee stress while concurrently bolstering productivity, creativity and community.
From the comfort of home to the environment of the workplace can be a jarring distance for some. From setting up a workstation at home with familiar and encouraging objects, cushions on chairs, ergonomic chairs and desks set to just the right height has meant adjusting back to a regimented work setting has been emotionally and physically distressing. Listening to employee needs and wants when it comes to their work station at the office is a vital way employers can facilitate a safe, ergonomic, comfortable and productive workspace for the employees.
Upgrading stationary desks to adjustable height desks can mean employees can find the exact right height for them. Upgrading monitors, keyboards, mouses and chairs can assist with the ease and comfort of doing work in the office. A monitor riser, curved keyboard and ergonomic mouse can be the difference between a contented employee and one with significant joint pain and headaches.
Additionally, allowing employees to bring personal items from home, stick pictures and personal items in their work zone and facilitate the sense of home that they used to enjoy.
EAP programs invest in employees by offering them free in-person or online counselling services for personal or work-related issues. EAP counselling provides vital support to improve the mental health, resilience and wellbeing of individuals within organisations.
Maybe not for every company but research has pointed the way to Nap hubs - Google and Ben & Jerry have shown how providing safe napping policies and zones at work can bring health and happiness to the office. Providing this basic ability to switch off, rest and recuperate meant hundreds of employees felt more refreshed, happier and productive for the rest of the day.
A NASA study on fatigued pilots and astronauts showed that a 40 minute nap can improve performance by a staggering 34% and alertness by an almost unbelievable 100%. Additionally, a recent study out of Switzerland contributed the encouraging findings, that naps have a direct correlation to improving heart health. A daytime nap once or twice a week showed strong connections to reducing the risk of cardiovascular events such as heart attack, strokes and heart failure by 50%.
Adjusting back to the office has been a tricky time for many, with these few measures in place, employers can go a long way to ensuring that their returning employees feel respected and protected with their mental health.
Altius Group offers Employee Wellbeing Programs and Employee Assistance Programs to help the wellbeing and resilience of employees. Learn more by calling 1800 258 487 or Contact Us