This year, as we recognize World Mental Health Day on October 10, the theme of prioritizing mental health in the workplace couldn’t be more relevant. In the always evolving world of work and with shifts taking place across industries, it’s critical that employers take a proactive approach to supporting the mental well-being of their employees.
According to our Workmonitor Report, 60% of respondents say their personal life is more important than their work life, and for 57%, work-life balance is a higher priority than even pay. Such insights offer a signal as to how employees view their careers and the role of their employers in supporting their overall well-being.
our global commitment to well-being
At Randstad, we believe that fostering a culture where mental health is prioritized is key to creating an inclusive, productive, and engaged workforce.
For example, Randstad Portugal launched the Inside Out program to promote physical and mental well-being among employees. This initiative includes yoga classes, meditation sessions, mindfulness, and access to psychological support. By offering holistic support, the program helps employees balance both their personal and professional lives.
At Randstad’s Global Capability Center in India, employees have access to a mental wellness platform offering free 24/7 mental health services. This includes consultations with mental wellness experts, as well as self-help resources for mindfulness and stress management.
Randstad Canada hosted a series of webinars on elevating psychological safety in the workplace. During Mental Health Week, sessions focused on how employees can foster environments where their colleagues feel safe, valued, and understood. As part of their Self-Care September, employees shared their self-care best practices in peer-led discussions.
why prioritizing mental health matters
Workplace wellbeing is a business imperative. Our research shows that mental health and mindfulness takes the second spot in the list of skills employees want to develop, just behind AI. This is also seen in the number of people (83%) ranking mental health support and annual leave days as important factors in their job choice.
Businesses have a responsibility to meet this demand by offering more than just traditional benefits. Companies should create supportive environments that address mental health proactively and holistically, and to action this, business leaders can consider:
Upskilling in support of mental well-being.
- Researchers have found that when adults continue to learn, their well-being is positively impacted. For example, learning beyond formal education can contribute to the reduction of depression, anxiety, and loneliness. Employees may also enjoy a sense of accomplishment when they have learned a new skill.
Open channels of communication - both ways.
- It’s important that employees and their managers have clear, open and honest communication from both sides. When this is rooted in empathy, people are more likely to feel secure about their working lives, the future, and avoid stress. One study found that open communication improves employee happiness, leading to an up to 20% increase in productivity.
Make the most of health and wellness benefits.
- It isn’t enough to simply have a set of employee assistance program (EAP) initiatives that are not promoted and effectively used by colleagues. EAPs should be fully utilized so that staff can better cope with mental and financial concerns, which are especially heightened during periods of economic uncertainty. This creates space for employees to be more engaged and focused on their tasks in an enjoyable way, which also boosts productivity by up to 17%.
Starting the conversation is an important step in raising awareness and creating safe spaces for dialogue. However, it must be followed by concrete actions that consistently show, over time, our genuine commitment to improving the mental well-being of our colleagues.
For more on Randstad’s worldwide sustainability initiatives, explore our latest report.