How to Improve the Mental Health of your Employees

Posted on 15 May 2023

Almost 1 in 4 people in the UK will experience a mental health problem each year. Industries with high-stress work such as Construction, Rail, Civil Engineering and Highways, see thousands of employees struggling with their mental health, due to not having any information on how they can deal with it.

What are the Mental Health Statistics for these high-stress industries?

  • 82% of UK people in Construction say they've experienced a mental health issue because of work

  • Workers across Civil Engineering are more vulnerable to burnout, and poor mental health potentially leading to more injuries on site.

  • Those working in Rail face unique risk factors such as long hours, shift work, and risk of exposure to traumatic incidents and violence in the workplace.

It is important that you, as an employer, ensure that you are consistently promoting well-being within your place of work. Doing so will help prevent unmanageable stress and therefore create positive working environments where employees feel supported.

HSQ take a look at how you as an employer can foster positive collaborations within your workplace to beat the stigma around Mental Health.

Work/life balance

Ensuring a healthy work/life balance for employees in Construction, Civil Engineering, Rail, and Highways is crucial. These industries often operate under tight deadlines and strict budget constraints, which can lead to a stressful work environment. By promoting a supportive and positive culture, organisations can help mitigate the risks of burnout and improve overall productivity.

Encouraging employees to take regular breaks, use their holiday leave, and prioritise their personal lives can help to create a more balanced work environment. Making this a priority can boost workflow and contribute to a more satisfied workforce. By emphasising the importance of work/life balance, organisations can create a more sustainable and fulfilling work environment for their employees.

Create a culture that celebrates open communications

To decrease the stigma around mental health in the workplace, it is important to cultivate an environment where employees feel as though they can share their thoughts and feelings. It is vital that you encourage active listening, acknowledge, and address concerns promptly, to foster a culture of respect and inclusivity, that can help build trust and encourage employees to share their thoughts and ideas openly.

Having a culture in your organisation that celebrates open communication can create a more productive workforce where employees feel supported and important.

Resources

Having mental health resources in the workplace can help to reduce the stigma around mental health issues. When companies make mental health a priority, they demonstrate their commitment to the well-being of their employees, which can lead to a more supportive and inclusive workplace.

Providing mental health resources to employees can help improve their mental and physical health, increase job satisfaction and productivity, and create a more positive work environment. Sites such as Mind, Mates in Mind and the Mental Health Foundation offer fantastic resources for individuals on how they can identify and cope with mental health issues.

Educating you and your employees

Eliminating the stigma around mental health in the workplace requires educating both employers and employees. Providing mental health training to all staff members can enable early intervention when showcasing signs of mental health issues.

Organisations such as Mates in Mind offer programs for thousands of UK-based companies, with a particular focus on industries like Construction, Transport, Logistics, and Manufacturing. Through their programs, employees can gain the skills, clarity, and confidence to raise awareness and improve understanding of mental health in the workplace. By promoting mental health education, organisations can create a more supportive environment for employees, ultimately improving their overall well-being and productivity.

As Recruitment experts in Rail, Construction, Civil Engineering, Water, Utilities and Highways sectors we can help you to understand how you can improve your workplace to better engage employees. Contact us today at: info@hsqrecruitment.com

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