A report published by WorkSafe in 2023 revealed that one in three workers had experienced work-related mental health issues in the previous twelve months, and almost 56% of them took time off work as a result. Another report has shown that 15% of workers in New Zealand were exposed to bullying or harassment at work, one in five employees experience work-related depression, and nearly one in three workers experience anxiety.
Given the evidence indicating that mental health issues at work continuously occur, it is important for managers and business leaders to prioritise the mental wellbeing of their workforce. Not only is it the right thing to do, but it also yields significant benefits for the business.
Common Causes of Poor Mental Health at Work
Health information website Healthify highlights several factors within the workplace that might lead to mental distress:
Unreasonable expectations for working hours
This occurs when employees are repeatedly required to work late into the evening, on weekends, or during holidays without adequate compensation or time off.
Poor boundaries about contact outside work hours
This often happens when employees feel obligated or are expected to respond to work-related communications, such as emails, messages, or phone calls, outside of their regular working hours.
Too much or too little work
Consistently high workloads can lead to chronic stress, fatigue, and burnout. On the other hand, employees who lack sufficient tasks may feel underutilised, bored, and fear for their job security.
Lack of recognition or positive feedback
When employees’ efforts go unnoticed, their motivation to perform well and go above and beyond diminishes. Employees may also question their competence and value within the organisation.
Harassment
This can take various forms, such as bullying, violence, sexual harassment, racial harassment, disability discrimination, or targeting individuals for being different. This can create a hostile work environment and cause long-term psychological trauma.
Accident hazards and dangers
Continuous exposure to dangerous environments or witnessing accidents can lead to stress, difficulty concentrating, and a constant state of worry.
Unresolved conflict in the workplace
Unsettled misunderstandings at work can cause tension and hostility towards each other, resulting in strained relationships and a toxic work environment.
The Costs of Ignoring Employee Mental Health
The Centre for Prevention and Health Services estimates that mental illness and substance abuse problems result in indirect costs to companies of between $79 billion and $105 billion each year. Mental illness leads to fewer workdays, poor productivity, and work impairment than many other chronic conditions, including diabetes, asthma, and arthritis.
Moreover, a report from the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD) concludes that mental ill health imposes a significant cost on the New Zealand economy, likely amounting to around 4-5% of GDP annually.
The Benefits of a Mentally Healthy Work Environment
2021 research by the New Zealand Institute of Economic Research (NZIER) found an overwhelmingly positive return on investment (ROI) for businesses that foster a wellbeing culture supporting both the physical and mental health of their teams, with ratios ranging from 5:1 to as high as 12:1.
A mentally healthy workplace also offers further benefits, including:
- Increased productivity and work performance
- Decreased absenteeism
- Employee satisfaction and loyalty
- Better communication and collaboration among team members
- Reduced costs associated with sick days and turnover.
- Compliance with occupational health and safety regulations.
- Positive organisational reputation
Your Role as a Manager
A recent study found that managers have a great impact on employee mental health, equal to that of spouses and partners. With this in mind, it’s imperative to recognise how your decisions and actions can significantly impact the mental health of those under your leadership. Here are the tools and strategies you can employ to foster a supportive and mentally healthy work environment.
Model behaviours that support mental health
As a manager, don’t just say you support mental health. Instead, show your team members that they can prioritise self-care and establish boundaries. Encouraging actions like taking breaks and checking in on stress and burnout sets the norm that mental health is normal and valued at work.
Encourage open communication
Encourage an open-door policy where employees feel comfortable discussing their mental health concerns without fear of stigma or reprisal.
Provide access to mental health resources
Make sure your employees are aware of available mental health resources, such as counselling services, employee assistance programmes (EAPs), and mental health days.
Promote work-life balance
Respect boundaries and encourage employees to disconnect after work hours. Flexible working arrangements can also help reduce stress and improve overall mental health.
Create an inclusive work environment
Employees who feel safe and have a sense of belonging at work will prosper and continue to become more resilient. Take time to evaluate your diversity, equity, and inclusion policies and make sure that inclusiveness and mental health go hand-in-hand.
On top of getting paid and being a part of a community, the workplace can have a positive influence on workers’ mental health. However, achieving this requires focusing on the work environment and the culture itself rather than just helping the team members become more resilient and cope with a poorly managed workplace.
It’s okay not to be okay, but people shouldn’t stay that way. As a manager, use your power to create the mentally healthy workplace culture that your people deserve.