Mental health.
We’ve all heard the buzzwords – self-care, mindfulness, therapy – but honestly, mental health is so much more than that. It is a deeply personal experience that affects individuals in unique and complex ways, and it is critical that we approach it with empathy and understanding.
Building on the importance of understanding mental health, it’s crucial to recognize how workplace stressors can compound these challenges, leading to stress, burnout and fatigue. Let’s face it – we live in a world that’s always on the go. Thanks to technology and other advancements, we can stay connected and work around the clock, but at what cost? The pressure to be productive and efficient is higher than ever, and combine that with other stressors, it’s no surprise that mental health challenges are becoming increasingly common. It’s not like we haven’t been talking about it before – mental health has been on people’s radars for years. But it took a global pandemic to really make everyone sit up and take notice.
With more people working from home, experiencing isolation and desiring a better work-life balance, it’s become increasingly important for employers to prioritize mental health in the workplace. From burnout to anxiety, depression, and beyond, the toll of poor mental health impacts not only employees’ personal lives but also their job performance, making it vital for us to take action.
As an HR leader, I’ve seen how the perception of mental health in the workplace has shifted over the past few years. There was a time when it was taken for granted, and the focus was solely on ‘getting the job done’, regardless of the impact on employees’ mental health. Thankfully, times have changed, and mental health is now slowly becoming a top priority for many companies. As employers, we have a responsibility to create a safe and supportive work environment that promotes the mental well-being of our employees. After all, they are humans and not just cogs in the machine. They deserve every bit of compassion, empathy, and respect.
However, there is still much work to be done on this front, especially when you look at some recent numbers.
A survey by Deloitte revealed that 80% of the Indian workforce is experiencing mental health issues. Furthermore, the study found that among those who reported mental health concerns, 33% continued to work despite their condition, 29% took time off to address their issues, and 20% resigned from their jobs to prioritize their mental well-being. These numbers highlight the pressing need for employers to address mental health concerns in the workplace and offer support to their employees.
In another survey conducted by the American Psychological Association, 81% of respondents indicated that they would take an employer’s attitude towards mental health into account when seeking employment.
The new generation of workers, Gen Z, especially display a higher level of understanding towards individuals with mental health conditions and are more open to discussing mental health issues. That is a large part of the reason why we are witnessing such a massive shift in how more and more organizations are dedicating their time and resources to address this and prioritize the mental wellbeing of their teams.
While I understand that there is a lot of pressure to meet business objectives and many may view mental health initiatives as an added expense or a distraction from their core business operations, it is absolutely imperative in today’s world of work to make employee wellbeing an essential component of any successful business strategy. If you don’t prioritize your employees’ mental health, you’re asking for trouble. Neglecting their well-being can cause decreased productivity, sky-high stress levels, and a whole host of other issues that can seriously harm your company’s bottom line.
So that raises the question, how do we tackle this?
Firstly, it is important to break the stigma around mental health by creating a safe and supportive environment for employees to talk about their concerns without fear of judgment or reprisal. A way to achieve this is by providing mental health training to managers and employees and offering confidential resources such as employee assistance programs (EAPs) and counseling services. This serves as the fundamental starting point!
Secondly, to make a healthy and productive workplace, work-life balance is a must! Give your employees flexibility with work arrangements and mental health days, and offer stress management training. By prioritizing their well-being, you’ll see better performance and happier employees. It’s a win-win situation!
Another important step is to foster a culture that promotes open communication. Regular check-ins with employees can be an effective way to identify potential mental health issues early on, allowing for timely intervention and support. As HR leaders, we can encourage managers to hold one-on-one meetings with their team members regularly to discuss workload, job satisfaction, and any challenges they may be facing. During these meetings, managers can also check in on their employees’ well-being and offer support if needed. This is a good way to let your employees know that they are heard and valued. Furthermore, if you want to show your employees that you really care about their well-being, you have to make sure they have access to good mental health care. That means offering benefits that cover things like therapy, medication, and other treatments. When you take the time to invest in your team’s mental health, it sends a powerful message that you value them as people – not just as workers.
All that being said, there is another very critical aspect that many companies generally overlook in this regard – Inclusion. Make sure everyone feels like they belong, no matter their background or identity. When people feel included, they’re more likely to feel comfortable opening up about their mental health and seeking support when they need it. Introducing diversity, equity, and inclusion-friendly initiatives and policies, launching impactful ERGs, and fostering an environment where everyone feels heard and respected should be a priority. Of course, there are a lot of other things an organization can do, but if you’re looking for a good starting point, these steps should get you going in the right direction.
At Godrej Capital, we take an all-encompassing approach when it comes to mental health.
We understand that the well-being of our employees is paramount, and mental health is a vital component of that. Our comprehensive Employee Assistance Program offers confidential counseling services and referrals to specialized mental health professionals. We also conduct regular mental health awareness campaigns and training programs to equip our employees with the necessary knowledge and skills to manage their mental health effectively. But taking care of our employees’ mental health means more than just offering counseling services. We believe in creating a work environment that fosters positive mental health and well-being. That’s why we’ve put in place various policies and initiatives that address the unique mental health needs of our employees.
For instance, we understand that being a caregiver can take a toll on one’s mental health. For that reason, we offer caregiver services for employees to help them balance their work and caregiving responsibilities. We also understand that the period after childbirth can be challenging for new mothers, both physically and mentally. That’s why we offer extended flexibility to give our employees the time and support they need to care for their newborns and recover. By creating unique policies that cater to specific needs, we are able to provide impactful benefits to our employees that go beyond the standard offerings. Many of us feel pressure to be constantly available and connected, but this can quickly lead to burnout and stress. Encouraging employees to take time away from work and focus on their personal lives can help them recharge and come back to work feeling refreshed and energized. For this purpose, we launched the ‘Switch Off’ initiative, which provides our employees with extended weekends to unwind and recharge.
Perhaps, the most important thing is that we know our employees are more than just their job titles – they’re human beings with diverse backgrounds, experiences, and challenges. That’s why we’re committed to creating a workplace that’s welcoming and inclusive for everyone. For our LGBT employees, we know that navigating their gender identity and sexuality can be incredibly tough, and we want to make that journey a little bit easier. Providing access to gender-affirming surgeries and creating safe spaces where they can be their authentic selves is just one way we do that. And for our PwD employees, we’re dedicated to removing any barriers they might face and building spaces that are accessible and accommodating to their unique needs.
And that doesn’t even begin to scratch the surface of what we have to offer.
We recognize the important role that mental health plays in our lives, both on and off the clock. When our team members are feeling good and taking care of themselves, they’re more likely to be firing on all cylinders and bringing their A-game to work. And that’s good for everyone – our employees, our customers, and the company as a whole. We’re always looking for ways to help our team stay happy, healthy, and resilient, no matter what it takes. Because at the end of the day, we’re all in this together.
Remember, mental health is not just a personal issue; it’s a societal issue that affects us all.
As leaders, we have a responsibility to lead by example and create workplaces that prioritize mental health and well-being. But we can’t do it alone. We need the support of everyone around us, including business leaders, policymakers, and community members, to create a culture that genuinely values mental health.
So let’s step up and take action today, and make mental health a top priority for our organizations and our society as a whole. The time for change is now!
Ruhie Pande 