The Importance of Mental Health in the Workplace
Mental health has never been more important in the workplace than it is today, so it's vital to have conversations about it and seek solutions to support employees' well-being. As May is Mental Health Month, it presents an opportunity to shine a spotlight on the significance of mental health in the workplace.
Employers have the power to make a significant positive impact on the well-being of their workers. According to a survey by the American Psychological Association, more than 85% of employees say that actions from their employer would help their mental health. That's why in this blog, we will explore the impact of workplace stress and ways your payroll and HR provider can help you support mental health in the workplace.
The Impact of Workplace Stress
Stress is an inevitable part of life, but its continued presence can have a serious impact on one’s mental health. Unfortunately, workplace stress is extremely common, with more than 80% of U.S. workers reporting experiencing stress while on the job. What's even more alarming is that over half of these workers believe that their job-related stress affects their life at home2.
Workplace stress can come from various sources such as job insecurity, financial instability, fear of employer retaliation, physically demanding work, and an overwhelming workload. The blurring of boundaries between work and personal life can also add to the stress.
How Employee Stress Affects the Organization
Long-term stress from the workplace not only impacts your employees - it also affects your business overall. When employees are stressed, your organization is at risk for:
- More workplace accidents
- Decreased productivity
- Decline in organizational performance
- High turnover rates
As an employer, it is essential to prioritize the mental health of your employees. Doing so demonstrates empathy towards your employees and shows that you care about their well-being. Investing in your employees' mental health can also boost productivity and motivation, benefiting your organization in the long run.
Ways Your Payroll and HR Provider Can Help Support Mental Health
Your payroll and HR provider can be a valuable partner in promoting mental health in the workplace by providing valuable services to benefit your employees. From financial assistance and stress management courses to easy access to Paid Time Off (PTO), these services can help to prioritize your employees' well-being and foster a positive work culture.
Financial Assistance Programs
Financial stress is a leading source of anxiety, making it crucial to consider offering financial assistance programs for employees. These programs can include benefits such as health insurance, retirement plans, and financial planning services. Payroll providers can support these offerings by making it convenient for employees to pay for them through payroll deductions. Additionally, employees may benefit from the advantages of pay-on-demand or earned wage access, which provide them with greater flexibility in accessing their wages.
How the Greenshades Solution Supports Financial Assistance Programs
At Greenshades, we offer a partnership with Paytient, a company that empowers individuals to access and afford the healthcare they require. Paytient provides personalized payment plans for healthcare needs without interest, credit checks, or fees. Using the Paytient card, employees can cover the upfront cost of their medical services and choose how they wish to pay back each transaction on their terms.
Access to Stress Management Resources
To support the success of your employees, it is vital as an employer to provide them with the necessary tools. You can empower them by offering education and information on stress management, enabling them to take control of their mental health. You can do this through stress management courses or by giving them access to mental health services. Although mental health benefits are often offered through health insurance, you can also offer an additional employee benefit package that includes extra mental health resources.
How the Greenshades Solution Supports Access to Stress Management Resources
At Greenshades, we offer a partnership with LearnUpon, a platform that enables businesses to create, manage, deliver, and measure learning through a single, centralized solution. Within your LearnUpon account, you can create stress management courses for your employees, providing a crucial tool they need to cope with workplace stressors.
Make PTO Easy to Access
Encouraging employees to take time off is crucial for their well-being and can benefit your business in the long run. By providing a user-friendly system for requesting time off, you can reduce stress and help employees achieve a better work-life balance. Offering a variety of options such as vacation, sick days, paid holidays, parental leave, and extended leave can help your employees feel supported and valued, leading to increased morale, engagement, and productivity.
How the Greenshades Solution Supports Easy Access to PTO
At Greenshades, we prioritize making access to PTO easy and stress-free for employees. Our GreenEmployee portal allows employees to submit PTO requests at any time and from any device. Managers are able to review and approve requests instantly, reducing the stress of waiting for approval and giving employees more control over their time off.
Build a Supportive Environment to Improve Mental Health
Fostering an open and supportive culture for employees to take care of their mental health demonstrates empathy. In addition, investing in mental health initiatives can lead to increased employee engagement, productivity, and retention, benefiting both your employees and your business.
As a payroll and HR provider, Greenshades can offer services that help support your employees' mental health, such as financial assistance programs, access to stress management courses, and easy access to PTO. Start exploring your options and see how Greenshades can help you create a supportive workplace environment.
References
1 World Health Organization: WHO. (2022). Mental health at work. www.who.int. https://www.who.int/news-room/fact-sheets/detail/mental-health-at-work
2 Workplace Stress - Understanding the Problem | Occupational Safety and Health Administration. (n.d.). https://www.osha.gov/workplace-stress/understanding-the-problem
