Mental health is very important in the workplace, especially now that everyone is back in the office, even though they are still suffering from the effects of the pandemic that kept them out of their colleagues for two years. “Organizations must find new, holistic ways to help their employees recover from the stress of the pandemic, or they risk losing staff.” These were among the ideas shared at Life Health Solutions’ Creating Holistically Healthy South Africans in the Workplace corporate wellness media roundtable. READ ALSO: Problems at work? These are your rights if you face disciplinary action…
Mental health is very important in the workplace, especially now that everyone is back in the office, even though they are still suffering from the effects of the pandemic that kept them out of their colleagues for two years.
“Organizations must find new, holistic ways to help their employees recover from the stress of the pandemic, or they risk losing staff.”
These were among the ideas shared at Life Health Solutions’ Creating Holistically Healthy South Africans in the Workplace corporate wellness media roundtable.
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Participants discussed global trends such as the “Great Resignation,” which saw professionals around the world quit their jobs as a result of the pandemic.
“Locally, instead of quitting, skilled workers are more likely to seek new or additional freelancers and consultants,” says Justin Fides, wellness specialist at Telesure Holdings Group.
Others may quit and then become suppliers to their previous employers. South Africans are also leaving the office and becoming remote workers. Their mental well-being greatly influences whether they decide to leave.
Well-being is becoming more and more important
“Around the world, well-being is sometimes a stronger card than rewards and benefits in terms of attracting talent,” Fidesz says. “Corporations really need to take this seriously. People want a better quality of life, and wellness can be a competitive advantage.”
Employee well-being is also influenced by company culture and the need for staff to feel part of a group, says Dr. Leanne Mandim, head of clinical management at Life Health Solutions.
“People want to feel connected to other people. While remote work has its benefits, people crave connection with others, and we see this in our research. Face-to-face interaction will remain a part of most workplaces.”
Panelists agreed that the Covid-19 pandemic has placed an unprecedented burden on the mental wellbeing of workers, and Life Health Solutions CEO Nicole Corbin said it is now recognized that corporations need to support the mental health of their employees.
“People are a company’s most valuable asset, and organizations need to offer their employees an integrated health and wellness offering.”
Corbin believes that business productivity also benefits from a holistically healthy workforce. “We consistently see improvements in morale, overall health and productivity, particularly in clients who have installed mental health solutions for their people.”
“We are seeing an increase in depression, anxiety and problems in family relationships. People can bring their problems to work, which affects the problem of absenteeism and absenteeism. On the positive side, Covid has allowed us to reach a much larger number of people digitally and has also broken down hierarchies within organisations,” says Mandim.
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A flexible, hybrid approach promotes mental health
Dr. Prineesh Reddy, head of product development at Life Health Solutions, says many employees are looking for a flexible, hybrid approach that allows them to pick up their children during the day or work remotely from another city.
“Corporations may need to think about how they support a hybrid workforce because this is the future. Staff are now much more inclined to hold corporations accountable for their behavior. We need to ensure that our values are reflected in our culture, in the way we interact with our staff and in the support and benefits we provide.”
Financial wellness programs are another thing that can help support staff and set a business apart from the competition, says Myrna Sachs, head of healthcare management solutions at AlexForbes.
“Companies need to prioritize employee wellbeing by ensuring they have a wellness strategy in place to support employees currently suffering from burnout and other mental health issues as we emerge from the pandemic.”
She says they are seeing an increase in disability and eligibility for job applications, with 40-60% of cases due to mental and behavioral illnesses. This is also seen in cases of high-risk absenteeism.
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Financial well-being is also a priority
John Manyike, head of financial education at Old Mutual, says employers should consider partnering with financial institutions that offer robust financial health programmes. “The focus should be on impact and creating a culture of caring for staff rather than a purely transactional relationship. No employer can guarantee complete job security, but you can offer a solid financial wellness program that can help employees with financial challenges.”
He says employers can also try to be more creative in reducing travel costs at a time when fuel prices are soaring.
“With early intervention, the prognosis for mental health was good. Researchers have found that exercise can alleviate symptoms such as anxiety and depression. Employees should take charge of their own health and use the resources their employer offers.
Corbin and Manyike agreed that data will play an increasing role in managing the health of staff.
“The days of relying on the CEO’s intuition in the boardroom are over. When it comes to employee health and financial well-being, we need to gather information and make data-driven decisions,” says Manike.
“Employers need to find creative ways to show their employees. We need to collect data about our staff and then use that to create a culture of care,” says Corbin.
