It might not be possible to arrive to work feeling upbeat every single day but a positive workplace certainly helps. Business owners have a large part to play in creating a work space that encourages good working relationships and a sense of wellbeing. After all, motivating your staff helps towards productivity.
Messages around the topic of mental health are everywhere so make it an active conversation in your workplace and do what you can to support your staff in their daily working environment. Below, we’ve got a guide produced by Where The Trade Buys Print: suppliers of printed brochures for large and small companies.
Let’s talk about mental health
Society has opened up a great deal when it comes to talking about mental health issues across the country. Research has revealed that around 45% of Australians may experience a mental health illness at one point in their lives, which can have a huge influence on our lifestyle – both personally and professionally.
There are many areas that an encounter with mental health issues impact. Anxiety for example, impacts over two million Aussies each year. 4% of people will experience depression on the other hand, 5% of which will be women and 3% men.
In the workplace, 1 in 6.8 people experience mental health problems also. However, figures go on to say that women who are in full-time employment are twice as likely to have common mental health issues than their male counterparts. Studies have shown through a $1 investment into mental health, some Australian businesses have welcomed up to $15 in return. From this great ROI, you can ensure that productivity levels remain high and encourage fewer sick days across your organisation.
Some positive posters for your office
Many mental health charities encourage both businesses and schools to invest in ‘positive posters’. Although these may be subjective to the chosen establishment, they’re mostly well-designed posters that promote words of encouragement to help people get through the day with a smile on their face.
This can range from simple text that reads ‘You’re doing great’ to ‘Your work matters and you are valued’. Humorous illustrations that are relatable to both your employees and your business are becoming more popular too – why not create your own mental health mascot? This is something that can definitely bring light to something which is often a brushed over.
Organise staff socials to promote friendship and fun
Make your staff feel appreciated by arranging events that are either held during the working day or outside of work hours. Not only can this create new experiences for your team, but also allow them to form better relationships with their colleagues which will undoubtedly help productivity in your business.
This can range from taking your staff to participate in competitive events with other businesses in the area (such as sports days and football matches) to regular team meals, quiz nights or trips away. These incentives will definitely improve attitude in your workplace, while making people feel respected in their role – so what are you waiting for?
Use company benefits to attract talented staff members
When someone is applying for a position at a company, one of the first things they will look at is the benefits that you offer. This can persuade someone to join a company or not, so if you’re looking to attract the top talent in your industry, you need to offer them something more than just a competitive salary.
For many businesses, this includes private dental and healthcare, a great pension scheme, regular corporate events, therapy sessions and of course a decent amount of holidays. If you’re not in a position to offer benefits directly from your own pocket, team up with businesses in the area and trade your services. As well as this, many employees like the thought of being able to take the day off work for a mental health re-charge and still get paid – is this something that you could offer?
Show recognition with small internal incentives
Just like company benefits, your employees will enjoy any internal incentives that you can offer. This could range from something as simple as Employee of the Month where the winner could receive a voucher for their favourite store or evening the option to allowing them to leave the office an hour early. This will encourage some healthy competition in the office!
Another idea could be writing an entire blog post about them and the great work they do for your company blog, which can then be posted across social media. Staff will definitely appreciate the recognition and share it with all of their friends. Many young companies are also introducing Friday beers and buffet to get the weekend started! There’s a lot to consider…
Clearly, there are a lot of ways that you could boost morale in your office. But the question is, how are you going to do it? Make sure to let us all know.
Sources:
https://mindframe.org.au/mental-health/data-statistics
https://premiumhealth.com.au/news-posts/beyond-happiness-true-cost-of-mental-health-on-business/
https://www.mentalhealth.org.uk/statistics/mental-health-statistics-mental-health-work
