We’ve featured many articles over the past year acknowledging that it is a stressful time for workers. The impact of COVID-19 on employees’ work and home lives has been overwhelming. The constant changes to work structure and back-to-office plans are dizzying. Add to that navigating the always-present issues of harassment, discrimination, and toxicity in the workplace, and you’ve got yourself a mentally- and emotionally-taxed workforce. October 10th was World Mental Health Day and this week, we examine how important mental health is within the workplace and how to foster worker well-being.

What Employers Need To Know About Workplace Mental Health And Legal Liability

While it’s clear that workplace mental health is important, fears of legal liability can stand in the way of meaningful progress within organizations. It can be difficult for managers to understand how to navigate the best path forward when employees disclose mental health needs or diagnoses. This requires clear guidance and company policies to do right. Here are three key steps to take when an employee makes a mental health disclosure.

Mental Health And The Workplace

With recurring waves of the COVID-19 virus spreading through global communities, life’s rules for engagement have been held hostage by the pandemic. Workers are dealing with business closures, quarantine requirements, social distancing recommendations, mask and vaccine mandates, and more. Returning to pre-pandemic stability is a long way off, and this is affecting the mental health and well-being of employees. In this article, learn what mental health in the workplace is, why it is important, and how to raise awareness within your organization.

World Mental Health Day Has Huge Implications For Workplace Leaders

According to a recent ComPsych poll, 57% of employers say employee burnout is affecting turnover, retention, and productivity. And 40% are concerned about declining employee engagement and morale. With the pandemic and shift to remote work, people are feeling stressed, stretched, and burnt out. There is an expectation for workers to be on call, accessible, and always on. The line between employees’ work and personal lives is blurred, and the lack of work/life balance is eroding their mental health. Learn about the impact of the situation on employee mental health, and get tips on how to sustain well-being in the workplace. 

Let Go of Outdated Mental Health Perceptions and Invest in Workplace Well-Being

There are still outdated perceptions of mental health within the workplace. There is a negative bias and language associated with it. This results in unequal access to workplace well-being. Conversations tend to focus on poor mental health when they should be about what we can do to nurture mental health and what it means to experience a positive state of mental well-being. Plus, investing in worker mental health is good for business. Research shows a positive ROI, enhanced trust and connection, and enables employees to function at their best. Read more to understand what we get wrong about mental health and how to improve well-being in the workplace.