Mental health in the workplace: definition and current issues
What is mental health in the workplace?
Firstly,mental health at workrefers to the psychological, emotional, and social state of an employee in a professional context. To assess their state, we need to understand how they managestress, anxiety, andpressuresrelated to their job. In this assessment, we also take into account how they feel about going to work (feelings of apprehension).
What does good mental health look like?
Good mental healthin the workplace is considered to exist when employees feel generally supported,valued, and able to cope with professional challenges in an appropriate manner, using the right resources, and in a calm manner.
What are the current challenges facing mental health in the workplace?
>Reducingabsenteeism at work. Absenteeism generates direct and indirect costs for companies: social security contributions, additional compensation, replacement costs, increased workload for the team and disruption to the organization, loss of productivity, etc.
> Supportingproductivity and performance. Mental health is closely linked to productivity and performance. Employees who are mentally and psychologically healthy and who feelemotionally secureare better equipped to work. They are morefocused, more efficient, more creative, and more productive. Several studies have proven the link betweenwell-beingand performance. To cite one conducted by MIT and Harvard,happy employees are 31% more productive.
> Strengthentalent attraction and retention. A study conducted by DARES specifies that 85% of organizations with working conditionsconsideredrestrictive have difficulty recruiting.
>Improvethe company's image. According to a recent survey conducted by the Workforce Institute atUKG, an HR solutions provider, 80% of respondents said that mental health was their top priority at work. Two-thirds of those surveyed said they would be willing to accept a pay cut if it meant a job that promoted their well-being. A company with a strongoccupational health andQWLpolicyis therefore guaranteed to have a positive reputation.
What are the main factors that impact mental health in the workplace?
Working conditions
Working conditionscover the material aspects (physical constraints, resources, sanitary conditions, etc.), organizational aspects (working hours, pace of work, autonomy and room for maneuver, etc.), and psychosocial aspects (relationships with customers, management, and colleagues, sense of usefulness, etc.) in whichthe professional activity is carried out.
Good working conditions with appropriate tools and equipment, goodrelationsbetween colleagues, a workspace that promotesconcentrationandcomfort, and a reasonableworkloadall contribute to the emotional and psychological well-being of employees.
Management
Management hasa significant impact on employees'mental health. In fact, nearly one in two employees has left their job to escape their manager. A management culture based on employee autonomy,listening, team spirit, inclusion, the right to make mistakes,recognition, and feedback promotes a healthy,trusting social climate. This contrasts with authoritarian management, which values competitiveness and creates astressful environment.
Work-life balance
Having a goodwork-life balanceis one ofthe mainexpectations of employees. Initiatives that promotemental well-beinginclude flexible working hours, teleworking, a ban on meetings before 9 a.m. and after 6 p.m., and leave for employees who are caregivers.
What solutions are available to improve employees' mental health?
Raise awareness among teams about mental health issues
Awareness campaigns educate employees aboutpsychosocial risks (stress, burnout, workaholism, hyperconnectivity, harassment) and solutions to prevent or even eliminate them. They can take various forms: booklets, posters, mailings, infographics, social media posts, workshops, and seminars.
The goal is to create a work environment that is emotionally and psychologically safe. When designing your campaigns and running your workshops, don't hesitate to seek support from experts: occupational health professionals, organizations specializing in mental health,psychologists, etc.
Train teams in psychosocial risks and good mental health practices
Employees must take responsibility for their ownmental health. This is important so that they can take ownership and adoptgood habits and behaviors when faced withstress at work. You can organize training sessions to help them recognizestress factors atwork, behaviors to avoid, and behaviors to prioritize in order to take care of their own mental health and that of others.
Implement organizational measures at the company level to improve mental health
Articles L4121-1 et seq. of the Labor Code require all employers to take the necessary measures toensure the safety and protect the physical and mental health oftheir employees. Two types of organizational measures can be implemented:
- Preventive measuresdesigned to reduce or even eliminate psychosocial risk factors;
- Positive measures aimedat improving quality of life and working conditions (QLWC) throughengagement, performance, and fulfillment.
Here are some examples of measures:
- Prevent, reduce, and eliminate occupational risks;
- Teleworking;
- Flexible working hours;
- Limit digital pollution (apply the right to disconnect);
- Extended maternity/paternity leave;
- Managing through care;
- Reduce or eliminate non-essential team meetings...
Gamification: an effective tool for raising awareness and training teams on mental health in the workplace
Mental healthis a topic that can be daunting for employees and is subject to many misconceptions.HR gamification offersa fun way to raise awareness and educate employees about mental health. Quizzes, challenges, connected challenges, ande-learning help maintainengagement interest andengagement . This makes it easier and more effective for employees to understand the issues, risks, and solutions they can adopt toimprove their psychological well-being.
To mark Blue Monday, we at OuiLive have created theMental Health Challenge, running fromJanuary1to 31, 2025. To find out more,check out the details of our Challenge now!