Emotional Wellbeing

Employers are becoming more aware of the impact that positive workplace mental health has on overall outcomes and productivity, as well as the individual wellbeing of staff. However, creating and maintaining an environment that supports employees can feel like a daunting challenge. This page explores some of the small changes employers can undertake to have profound impacts on the wellbeing of staff. 

Embed mental health into your induction process

Ensuring that staff are given information on how stress and mental health are managed and what support is available to them is an essential part of the induction process. Establishing this at the start of your new staff member’s journey will contribute to a healthier workplace culture where staff feel able to express concerns before issues escalate. Having a staff member who volunteers as a Mental Health Workplace champion and including details about their role during induction can ensure your new staff feel confident that there is support available to them. 

Creating a team spirit

Creating a strong and collaborative team can engender feelings of belonging and creativity, ultimately aiding in staff retention and morale. Think about how you can promote a culture of open dialogue and involve your staff in decisions about how the team is run. One way to achieve this is by holding regular staff meetings, with plenty of notice and opportunities for social engagement such as quizzes and lunches. Additionally, circulating a newsletter can ensure that your team are aware of each other's projects and can celebrate the achievements of their colleagues. 

Another way to improve engagement is fundraising. Many offices find that activities such as Dress Down Friday, bake sales, walks, and nominating charities of the year are a great way to promote team collaboration and social interaction. Many larger organisations offer staff the opportunity to volunteer their services to a local charity for the day as a team-building exercise. 

Importance of physical environment 

Employers often under-estimate the significant impacts environment can have on wellbeing. Making small changes can make a lot of difference and investing some money into office aesthetics can improve general productivity. It is also important to consider noise levels, space, temperature, and light. Ensure staff are consulted on how to improve their working environments. Considering measures such as space dividers, lamps, and quiet spaces can tackle some common issues, and asking for a volunteer to care for plants can be a small way to improve satisfaction and concentration. 

Promote healthy work/life balance 

Encouraging staff to work sensible hours and take lunch breaks, with senior staff modelling these behaviours, can improve the general atmosphere in the workplace and reduce employee stress. Flexibility within workplace practices can keep people healthy, committed, and productive but if this is not possible in your organisation, explain why. 

Promote existing support services

If you provide an employee assistance programme (EAP) remember to promote this service regularly, so your staff know they can reach out for confidential counselling and support from trained professionals. 

If you don't offer EAP, then make sure that you and your staff know what assistance is available in the local area or nationally. Consider producing a list of useful numbers, but remember you'll need to keep it up-to-date. The Sheffield Mental Health Guide is a useful directory of  mental health services, activities and resources.

If you have a Workplace Mental Health Champion or a Mental Health First Aider, put posters up in staff areas so that employees can see your commitment to their wellbeing. Replace them regularly, so they don't end up looking dog-eared and neglected.

It can be difficult to anticipate the needs of your staff when it comes to emotional wellbeing, but implementing small changes can have big impacts. Creating environments where staff feel valued and supported with their mental health can have positive outcomes for the whole organisation such as increased productivity, improved retention, and general happiness. Small changes can make a world of difference.

If you are interested in starting conversation about mental health in your workplace, check out our Revive workplace wellbeing sessions.