While some employers and employees wish they could return to working eight-hour days in the confines of a musky office, the pandemic has challenged former notions of work-life balance. I’m of course talking about pushing workers from the “office” office into the home office. And this change brings new questions about the importance of self-care, mental health, and the intersection of our workday. Here’s some mental health awareness knowledge for managers to influence their employee’s new work conditions:
Encourage creativity
One way that employees have learned to cope during the pandemic is through self-expression.
Personal branding photoshoots are on the rise, with executives in search of ways to separate themselves from the crowd. Businesses can be a part of the new movement in a positive way by targeting the slovenly habits of remote work and offering working professionals the perfect headshot.
While imposter syndrome is very real, there are many tips for taking professional headshots which can remind employees of their core values, authenticity, and identity. A playful twist on the traditional boardroom photo creates levity and makes professionals feel seen even when struggling with their mental health.
Be more time-flexible
A 2017 study conducted by New York’s Rockefeller University has shown that being a “morning person” or “night owl” is the result of a longer circadian rhythm dictated by a mutated CRY1 gene; in other words, it’s genetic.
Working within unfriendly timelines is a common stressor. And some mental illnesses, such as bipolar disorder, make it next to impossible for employees to adhere to a formalized schedule and be at their best.
By offering “flex-schedule” options a company can get the most productivity out of employees while still maintaining appropriate deadlines for work output. Flexible work can be the accommodation that is necessary not just for an employee to be content but for them to flourish.
Essentially the work hours can be selected from any number of time blocks which the business deems both acceptable and necessary. In smaller businesses this can appear similar to a “shift.”
Prioritize therapy for your team
Offering mental health counseling and therapy is no longer just a consideration for employers, it’s a necessity. It was found to impact workforce synergy and keep turnover at a minimum. Working professionals have been more vocal about the stressors they face and catering to their mental health needs is a must.
At larger companies such as Google, up to 25 free therapy sessions are available to employees and counselors are on-site. Having a counselor on staff can mitigate turnover and generally raise employee morale.
On-site mental health resources aren’t a possibility for all businesses, such as small or locally owned. In a more compact work environment providing employees with resources and information for free, low-cost, or sliding-scale clinics and mental health professionals can make all the difference. Weekly therapy can also promote general well-being and a positive work environment.
Offer permissive time off
In 2020 Americans stopped taking as many breaks. The average workday extended an hour due to the lack of work-life separation that came with remote employment according to the National Bureau of Economic Research.
While most companies have modified their vacation policies due to the pandemic, some are offering unlimited vacation days altogether or “permissive time off.” If work is well-done and adheres to deadlines, employees are encouraged to take off as much as they like. Businesses such as General Electric and Grant Thornton enacted their own variations of the policy as early as 2015.
Permissive time off caters to working professionals’ mental health needs while also saving employers money. Businesses no longer have to pay out unused days which fall outside of a time window such as the end of the year.
Keep your employees sharp
Good mental health practices can keep your team strong and content even in the most difficult of times. When employers look after their employers’ minds, great ideas spring forth necessarily.
If you liked this content, follow me on IG for more tips for your business that you can take to the bank.