A Small Business Owner’s Guide to Workplace Well-being
April is Stress Awareness Month and with recent research suggesting that employees are taking more time off due to stress-related illnesses than ever before, this highlights the urgent need for employers to prioritise mental health and well-being in the workplace.
As someone who’s all about creating a positive workplace vibe, I’m here to share some tips on how to make sure your team is feeling good mentally. Not just in April but ALL year round.
First off, let’s keep those lines of communication wide open. Make sure your team knows they can chat with you about anything – seriously, anything. Whether they’re feeling stressed, overwhelmed, or just need someone to listen, you’re there for them. This can be as simple as having a system open for your team to book into for welfare chats, I’ve seen this work really well in hybrid and remote teams. It provides an opportunity for the individuals to be proactive and it helps to combat loneliness especially when you’re remote.
And speaking of being there, empathy is key. Put yourself in your employees’ shoes and show that you really care about their well-being. A little empathy can go a long way in creating a supportive work environment.
Now, let’s talk resources. Invest in stuff like employee assistance programs and mental health training. Make sure your team knows these resources are available and how to access them. It’s all about making sure they have the support they need when they need it. Oh, and don’t forget about your managers. Training them up on how to support their teams’ mental health, and their own will empower them to lead with empathy and compassion – it’ll make a world of difference.
Work-life balance is another biggie. Give your team the flexibility to balance work and life stuff – whether that’s working from home, flexible hours, or just encouraging them to take breaks and recharge.
And hey, let’s not overlook the challenges faced by working parents and carers. As we are an aging society, there are a lot more carers in the workforce these days. Offering them support and flexibility to juggle their responsibilities – whether that’s parental leave, flexible working arrangements, or childcare support, well that can ease up the pressure and in turn, can help them focus better on their roles too.
Financial stress can also take a toll on mental health, and this is something I’m seeing a lot more across workplaces. We are in a cost-of-living crisis, recession and people are feeling the pressure so much more. Perhaps, consider offering financial wellness programs or resources to help your team manage their finances and reduce stress.
Lastly, let’s talk resilience. Helping your team to build up their resilience doesn’t have to be a costly affair. You can support them by taking simple steps to promote self-care practices, offering stress management resources, and encouraging a growth mindset. Life throws curveballs, but with the right coping strategies, your team can handle anything.
Remember, it’s the little things that can make a big difference in creating a workplace where everyone feels valued, supported, and empowered. By prioritising mental health and well-being, you’ll not only boost morale and productivity but also create a kick-ass work culture that attracts and retains top talent.
This month we’ve launched a new bundle that will help you get started, it’s packed with Mental Health resources that support you and your team to build resilience, support and encourage mental wellbeing. It’s priced at just XX and available to download here.
Here’s to building a workplace where mental health matters.
