Well-being at Work: The Secret to Higher Productivity

Why Mental Health at Work Matters?

Without proper mental health, living a good life is impossible. It is an essential part of life, more so in the workplace, where one spends most of their time. In Nepal, mental illnesses are still under-discussed, yet their impact on productivity and talent retention is crucial.

Poor mental health in the workplace can lead to:

Reduced productivity
High turnover
Absenteeism and presenteeism
Low morale
Lack of engagement

According to the WHO, poor mental health in the workplace is a global issue. In Nepal, where awareness and access to mental health care are still in the developmental stage, the problem is even more distinguishable.

Here are 10 ways you can support your employees mental-health at work:

1. Understand Employees as Individuals

Every employee is different. Some work best in short, focused bursts while others thrive in the presence of structure and routine. Avoid forcing everyone into the same mold. Instead, recognize individual work styles and create room for flexibility. This improves performance and builds trust.

2. Set Realistic Workloads

Deadlines are part of any job, but having unrealistic expectations surrounding work can harm motivation and mental well-being. Defining the specific role that the employee has to fulfill can help take off pressure from the workload and can help prevent burnout in the long run.

3. Support During Personal Hardships

Your employees are humans too, so you have to understand that illness, grief, or family emergencies can affect your employees as it can affect anybody else. Compassionate policies like paid leave, flexible work hours, or a temporary reduction during these times can go a long way in showing that you appreciate your employees. Furthermore this also improves employees’ loyalty and retention.

4. Foster a Healthy Work Environment

Your office environment directly impacts employees. Do employees get regular breaks? Is the space inviting and stress-free? Are they encouraged to speak up? Even minor alterations like breaks and flexible seating can make a significant impact. This will improve the overall productivity of employees and an encourage innovative culture

5. Provide Opportunities for Growth

Stagnation can lead to frustration. Employees need opportunities to learn, develop, and feel that their careers are moving forward. Offering training, mentorship, or adequate responsibilities demonstrates your interest in their development and keeps them engaged.

6. Give Feedback with Empathy

Constructive criticism is crucial, but tone and delivery matter are just as important. Personal direct criticism negatively impacts confidence and self-esteem. Instead of making it personal, you should focus on behavior and change.

7. Show Appreciation

Appreciation makes employees feel seen. Something as simple as a “thank you” can take you very far. Just recognizing effort in team meetings can help boost morale and strengthen the loyalty of the employees. Gratitude is not just good manners; it’s a sign of good leadership.

8. Improve Communication Culture

The way someone speaks affects the way people feel. Open, two-way communication reduces misunderstandings, stress, and isolation. Encourage employees to feel comfortable in raising issues without judgment or reprisals.

9. Address Conflicts Promptly and Fairly

Unresolved problems can lead to stress. Make sure that there is an established and clear process for addressing issues respectfully and impartially. Also, ensure that the managers are trained in conflict resolution and emotional intelligence.

10. Prioritize Work-Life Balance

Today’s workers have high regard for work-life balance. Make sure to promote breaks, enforce limits of overtime, and never glorify overwork. Research shows that employees who can take time off, recharge, and attend to their private lives are much more productive and creative.

Besides, offering a standard two-day weekend is a simple but powerful step; it allows employees enough time to rest, recharge, and attend to personal responsibilities. Research shows that employees who can disconnect from work are significantly more productive, focused, and creative when they return.

Bonus: How Mental Health Affects Life Beyond Work

Work-related mental stress does not stay in the workplace; it spills over to relationships, sleep, food, and even physical health. That is why we hear the slogan"No Health, Without Mental Health." By putting mental health first in the workplace, you generate a ripple effect of benefits in your employees' lives as well as your business.

Final Thoughts:

Nepal's mental health care system is still facing various challenges due to inadequate awareness and inaccessibility to care, with rural areas being most affected. However, employers can make an input by: