3 Ways to Improve Emotional Wellbeing at Work

Emotional Wellbeing is a term that encompasses the relationship between physical, mental and emotional health.

Mental health is important in helping a person realize their full potential. It impacts the ability to handle work stress and productivity. Above all, mental health directly affects a person’s susceptibility to viruses and disease. This connection between mind and body is critical for organizations to improve upon as employees around the globe are increasingly seeking assistance with emotional and mental health. As the COVID-19 Pandemic continues to evolve, organizations that provide employee wellness solutions are top picks for prospective applicants.

Improve Stress at Work

The pandemic has dramatically increased our dependency on technology as we learn to work remotely, socialize online, and collaborate virtually. As a result, employees are less likely to schedule break times. A majority of American adults (64%) said work is a significant source of personal stress in 2019. Above all, employees need to be supplied with resources to help improve emotional wellbeing. Therefore, organizations have the unique opportunity to pave the way for mental health centric programs. Furthermore, by improving the mental health resources available to employees, the positive impacts are felt throughout the organization.

1. Reduce Disconnect

A disconnect exists between how management thinks an initiative is received and the employee’s actual opinions. For instance, employees do not believe their organization’s wellbeing programs meet their needs. According to a study by Willis Towers Watson, the majority of employers feel their wellbeing initiatives are improving employees lifestyle. However, only 32% of employees believe wellbeing initiatives encourage a healthier lifestyle. The best way to gauge this disconnect is by conducting a wellbeing/culture survey. By giving employees the opportunity to share how wellbeing can be improved at work, organizations can better tailor their wellbeing strategy.

2. Accessible Treatment

Providing access to mental health assessments and treatments gives employers the opportunity to lessen the severity of their symptoms and drastically improve their wellbeing. As an employer it is important to start difficult conversations and raise awareness about mental health in the workplace. Include resources in communications to encourage open conversation about mental health in the workplace. Aim to reduce the stigma around mental health by providing organization-wide training initiatives and information. Depression alone costs employers an estimated $44 billion annually in lost productivity. Left untreated, employees with depression tend to be less engaged and have a higher rate of absenteeism. Employee performance is impacted as well, including time management, decision making, focus, interaction and communication. Individuals may not seek treatment due to financial constraints, lack of support, negative stigma and insufficient awareness. It is essential to provide confidential access to mental health information and support.

3. Foster a Sense of Purpose

Motivation through external wellbeing programs tends to fall short of meeting employees’ needs. People benefit from an internal sense of purpose to keep them focused on why they should be improving their wellbeing. Usually, employees who focus on personal strengths instead of fixing weaknesses have higher emotional wellbeing. They are able to effectively manage stress and perform highly at work. By understanding what matters to employees, employers have a greater chance to empower and support engagement through wellbeing. Focusing efforts on establishing “purpose” within the organization is also a scalable solution. Personalization is key to success and can be difficult to achieve in larger organizations. Purposeful is an example of a platform focused on improving motivation and a sense of purpose. By utilizing an online platform, employees have access to 24/7 motivation/support as needed. Organizations can also access real-time results to see how many employees are utilizing the tool.

To learn more about the services Flex Surveys offers and how they can help your team, contact us at 877.327.5085 or visit our Contact Page to set up a demo.