December 22, 2021
It’s been almost two years now since the world was plunged into the grips of the COVID-19 pandemic, and it would be difficult to find any business that has not been affected in some way. Whether employees have been working from home, furloughed or working in the office under restrictions, there is one thing for certain: they will have experienced some form of change to their working environment.
For some, there will be feelings of concern and perhaps anxiety. Depression may rear its head, and certain worries may aggravate existing mental health conditions.
Earlier in the year, as the nation returned to the workplace, the Mental Health Foundation said that everyone should be aware of ‘returnism’; the impact that resuming pre-pandemic working practices have on mental health. And now, with the new Omicron variant taking hold and the yet-again revised advice to work from home where possible, it is likely that people will find themselves in a state of disarray.
Working Minds Campaign
It is timely therefore that the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) has recently launched a new campaign to promote good mental health at work. Working Minds is aimed specifically at supporting small businesses, by providing employers and workers with advice that is straightforward to put in place, including simple steps to introduce the principles of stress management standards.
Even before the pandemic, it was reckoned that mental health issues cost UK employers up to £45 billion every year. In 2020, more than 17.9 million working days were lost as a result of stress, anxiety or depression. A recent survey by the mental health charity Mind suggests that two in five employees have experienced increased mental health issues during the pandemic.
The law requires all employers to prevent work related stress, and to promote, support and sustain good mental health in the workplace.
The Working Minds campaign provides a range of tools and support to help businesses and workers understand the best ways to prevent work related stress, and encourage good mental health. It is well worth exploring the resources on offer, and making use of them where relevant.
How to support your workforce and promote good mental health and well-being at work?
There are various ways in which you can, as an employer, help support workplace well-being. Remember that if you have again found yourself with many staff working from home, you’ll need to extend whatever you do to your remote workforce in the best way you can.
Prepare and plan ahead
Things are changing all the time. Fear of the unknown can make people feel uneasy, and can exacerbate anxiety. Whether you’re bringing remote working back in again as government advice once again changes, or are planning for bringing people back once the latest advice passes, it is important to communicate any changes ahead of time, so that everyone knows the lay of the land and can prepare themselves.
Be sure to offer support, making sure your people feel as comfortable as possible with the newly revised working situation. If you requested feedback from staff the last time you implemented changes, make certain you act on that feedback and take steps to deal with any concerns raised.
Recognise the signs
Many employees will find it difficult to be open about their mental health struggles, especially with their employers. People working from home may have kept quiet about the challenges they’ve been facing, and may be putting on a brave face.
For this reason, it is important to recognise the differences between everyday stress, and damaging levels of stress. Do your best to educate yourself and your staff in recognising the symptoms of mental ill health. Learn to listen, and make it clear that support is on hand, even if that support if via a third party, which some individuals may feel more comfortable with.
Open channels of communication are key to ensuring staff feel valued and that their needs and concerns are important to you.
Show your support
Many organisations are going the extra mile to promote good mental health amongst their workforce. Some are offering training for members of staff to become mental health first aiders, acting as the first point of contact for anyone experiencing mental health issues.
Others have introduced an Employee Assistance Programme (EAP). This generally includes counselling and expert advice for anyone facing concerns of a personal or work-related nature.
Be aware of Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD)
As winter takes hold, something to be on the lookout for is Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD). Also known as the ‘winter blues’, this is a form of depression which peaks during the winter, when the days are shorter and the weather is generally miserable.
Whilst the causes of this condition are yet to be fully understood, it appears to be linked to a lack of sunlight. Sunlight helps with the production of melatonin (the sleep cycle hormone) and serotonin (the feel good hormone), so any lack of it can have adverse effects on mental health.
If you can recognise the symptoms of SAD, you will be better placed to provide your workers with the help they need to overcome it, or at least better manage it. Common symptoms include:
- Lethargy
- Depression
- Apathy
- Irritability
- Social anxiety
- Persistent low mood
- Mood swings
- Weakened immune system
There are suggestions for SAD treatments on the NHS website.
Create a welcoming environment
A supportive, friendly workplace can help people suffering from mental health issues feel like they have a safe place to come to every day.
Try taking steps to promote a healthy working environment. If you can, introduce plenty of natural light, or if possible invest in a smart lighting system that mimics natural light, and can be personally controlled by workers. Provide healthy snacks such as fruit and nuts, and encourage regular breaks and outdoor exercise. Make sure remote workers are not left out of the loop in this respect.
Here to help you
Please always be assured that team RG is here to support you throughout all the changes that the pandemic situation continues to present.
If you have any questions, you are as always welcome to get in touch with your regular contact.
Related guides
Working from home and mental health: a manager’s guide
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It’s been almost two years now since the world was plunged into the grips of the COVID-19 pandemic, and it would be difficult to find any business that has not been affected in some way. Whether employees have been working from home, furloughed or working in the office under restrictions, there is one thing for certain: they will have experienced some form of change to their working environment.
For some, there will be feelings of concern and perhaps anxiety. Depression may rear its head, and certain worries may aggravate existing mental health conditions.
Earlier in the year, as the nation returned to the workplace, the Mental Health Foundation said that everyone should be aware of ‘returnism’; the impact that resuming pre-pandemic working practices have on mental health. And now, with the new Omicron variant taking hold and the yet-again revised advice to work from home where possible, it is likely that people will find themselves in a state of disarray.
Working Minds Campaign
It is timely therefore that the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) has recently launched a new campaign to promote good mental health at work. Working Minds is aimed specifically at supporting small businesses, by providing employers and workers with advice that is straightforward to put in place, including simple steps to introduce the principles of stress management standards.
Even before the pandemic, it was reckoned that mental health issues cost UK employers up to £45 billion every year. In 2020, more than 17.9 million working days were lost as a result of stress, anxiety or depression. A recent survey by the mental health charity Mind suggests that two in five employees have experienced increased mental health issues during the pandemic.
The law requires all employers to prevent work related stress, and to promote, support and sustain good mental health in the workplace.
The Working Minds campaign provides a range of tools and support to help businesses and workers understand the best ways to prevent work related stress, and encourage good mental health. It is well worth exploring the resources on offer, and making use of them where relevant.
How to support your workforce and promote good mental health and well-being at work?
There are various ways in which you can, as an employer, help support workplace well-being. Remember that if you have again found yourself with many staff working from home, you’ll need to extend whatever you do to your remote workforce in the best way you can.
Prepare and plan ahead
Things are changing all the time. Fear of the unknown can make people feel uneasy, and can exacerbate anxiety. Whether you’re bringing remote working back in again as government advice once again changes, or are planning for bringing people back once the latest advice passes, it is important to communicate any changes ahead of time, so that everyone knows the lay of the land and can prepare themselves.
Be sure to offer support, making sure your people feel as comfortable as possible with the newly revised working situation. If you requested feedback from staff the last time you implemented changes, make certain you act on that feedback and take steps to deal with any concerns raised.
Recognise the signs
Many employees will find it difficult to be open about their mental health struggles, especially with their employers. People working from home may have kept quiet about the challenges they’ve been facing, and may be putting on a brave face.
For this reason, it is important to recognise the differences between everyday stress, and damaging levels of stress. Do your best to educate yourself and your staff in recognising the symptoms of mental ill health. Learn to listen, and make it clear that support is on hand, even if that support if via a third party, which some individuals may feel more comfortable with.
Open channels of communication are key to ensuring staff feel valued and that their needs and concerns are important to you.
Show your support
Many organisations are going the extra mile to promote good mental health amongst their workforce. Some are offering training for members of staff to become mental health first aiders, acting as the first point of contact for anyone experiencing mental health issues.
Others have introduced an Employee Assistance Programme (EAP). This generally includes counselling and expert advice for anyone facing concerns of a personal or work-related nature.
Be aware of Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD)
As winter takes hold, something to be on the lookout for is Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD). Also known as the ‘winter blues’, this is a form of depression which peaks during the winter, when the days are shorter and the weather is generally miserable.
Whilst the causes of this condition are yet to be fully understood, it appears to be linked to a lack of sunlight. Sunlight helps with the production of melatonin (the sleep cycle hormone) and serotonin (the feel good hormone), so any lack of it can have adverse effects on mental health.
If you can recognise the symptoms of SAD, you will be better placed to provide your workers with the help they need to overcome it, or at least better manage it. Common symptoms include:
- Lethargy
- Depression
- Apathy
- Irritability
- Social anxiety
- Persistent low mood
- Mood swings
- Weakened immune system
There are suggestions for SAD treatments on the NHS website.
Create a welcoming environment
A supportive, friendly workplace can help people suffering from mental health issues feel like they have a safe place to come to every day.
Try taking steps to promote a healthy working environment. If you can, introduce plenty of natural light, or if possible invest in a smart lighting system that mimics natural light, and can be personally controlled by workers. Provide healthy snacks such as fruit and nuts, and encourage regular breaks and outdoor exercise. Make sure remote workers are not left out of the loop in this respect.
Here to help you
Please always be assured that team RG is here to support you throughout all the changes that the pandemic situation continues to present.
If you have any questions, you are as always welcome to get in touch with your regular contact.
Related guides
Working from home and mental health: a manager’s guide