Factors That Influence the Mental Well-Being of Employees

We spend a lot of time working. In addition, how we perform in our working life usually greatly influences our self-concept. In this article, we're going to talk about the main factors that affect the well-being of workers.

Today, companies have ways of measuring the productivity of their employees. However, there’s one aspect they don’t always take into account: the mental health of their employees. In fact, the biggest challenge for workers is their own mental well-being.

A worker with anxiety or depression problems won’t perform as expected. Sooner or later, this will be reflected in the company’s productivity. For this reason, it’s surprising that so many companies still fail to invest in the mental well-being of their workers.

According to the World Health Organization (WHO), more than 300 million people in the world suffer from depression. Around one in four will suffer from some mental health problem at some point in their lives. This data suggests a silent pandemic that affects both the social and business sectors.

Factors affecting the mental well-being of workers

There are many causes that might lie behind the deterioration in the mental health of company employees. According to the WHO, these are the main factors:

• Inadequate working conditions. The well-being of an employee depends on satisfactory working conditions. They need working hours that make it possible for them to have an enriching life outside of their work. In addition, they require a salary commensurate with their responsibilities.
• Toxic work environment. Nobody is comfortable in a place where hostility reigns. Whether at work, at home, or with friends, it’s important to create a climate in which everyone feels safe and comfortable.
• Poor internal communication. Ineffective communication or lack of support from both managers and colleagues can be a key factor.
• Excessive Workload. No one is happy when they have to take work home with them. Moreover, it’s essential that the employee feels that their workload is commensurate with their monthly salary.
• Lack of recognition. Not having the power to make decisions along with a lack of recognition can cause the worker to disconnect from the company and its goals and objectives.

According to data from NTT DATA, 87 percent of workers aren’t happy with their mental health in the workplace. Out of them, 44 percent feel extremely concerned about the reconciliation between work and their mental health. While 43 percent admit to having some concerns.

New sensibilities, new departments

The evidence from this data has forced companies to start creating new departments and dynamics for taking care of the mental health of employees, just like any other asset. After all, it’s a factor that determines the company’s productivity, so it’s essential that they invest in it, from a practical and mercantilist point of view.

Fortunately, there are some companies that have prevention and psychological support services in place for their workers. For example, they might implement workshops, group therapies, and activities outside the company.

On the other hand, some companies do it in a more indirect way, promoting sports, healthy eating, or work-life balance. This improves the mental well-being of their employees, as it means the company has a greater involvement in aspects of their lives that are unrelated to their jobs.

Other companies conduct surveys that provide data on the mental health of their employees. They often focus on their hopes and fears. It’s a way for the company to gain an overview of the intangible needs of its workforce, needs which must be satisfied if the workers aren’t to reduce their productivity.

Measures to care for the mental health of workers

In addition to these surveys conducted by means of modern software, companies can carry out other actions to protect the mental well-being of their employees:

• Knowing the needs of each employee: Having information about the concerns of their employees is the first step to solving any problems. Without this knowledge, it’s difficult to take action.
• Investing in training. This type of measure will increase the motivation of workers. Furthermore, their feelings of belonging to the company will increase.
• Providing flexibility. Thanks to new technologies, it’s possible to implement teleworking days. They help employees to release tension and clear their heads after spending so much time in the office.
• Showing the kind of leadership that listens, supports, and trusts the employees. Any worker who feels that their superior listens to them and takes their ideas into consideration will feel valued and, consequently, more comfortable within the company.
• Ensuring a good working environment. From company dinners to activities outside working hours, these types of measures can improve the group relationship between employers and employees.
• Maintaining proper internal communication. This makes employees feel more involved in the company as they feel that they’re participating in its growth.
• Reorganizing schedules. Anything that makes it easier for employees to reconcile with their family lives will have a positive impact on their mental well-being. In turn, this will have a beneficial effect on the whole company.

The importance of mental health strategies in the workplace

Any company would choose to invest some of its capital in the repair of any materials, machines, or installations essential for its functioning. That’s why it’s increasingly common to do the same with the mental health of employees. While it’s clear that there’s still a long way to go, encouragingly, the first stones have already been laid to promote the mental well-being of the workers of the future.