Mental Health in the Workplace

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mental health in the workplace | FutureBusiness

ERGs

Supported by an organisation, ERG (Employee Resource Groups)are essentially a voluntary, employee-led initiative that encourage diversity and inclusion within companies. They foster inclusive workplaces by being building communities which are based around common identities, background and interests. Often recognised as Diversity Groups and Affinity Groups, ERGs can also aid in personal and professional development within the workplace. Various leading companies such as Amazon, Google and Uber utilise ERGs.

The purpose of ERGs:

  • ERG programs produce an open forum, where employees who are of the same identity can unite and support each other in creating a community. This allows employees to feel like they belong within work.
  • The programs can help companies establish a more diverse, respectful and inclusive culture within businesses.
  • The program allows employees to have open communication with leaders within companies, and thus enables individuals to voice their concerns and find solutions to these issues.

There are many reasons why ERGs are beneficial for companies, for instance, helping with improving employee mental health. By producing a space where individuals of the same identity can congregate and openly support one another offers a sense of belonging for people. In addition, since there is a clear line of communication between employees and leaders to voice their concerns and find solutions, it makes individuals feel seen, heard and appreciated. They encourage businesses to do more in terms of making the workplace an inclusive environment. Due to this, it can not only improve employee retention, it can also aid with productivity and the overall mental health of your staff.

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Discrimination

A recent study conducted by City Mental Health Alliance (CMHA) discovered a link between workplace racism and mental health, with many individuals within the sample group stating that they’ve experienced racism at work. In this study, 45% of black people, 26% of East Asian people, 23% of South Asian and 24% of mixed raced people recalled experiencing racism within the workplace. This was directly correlated with adversely affecting their mental health and well-being, with individuals claiming it made them feel ‘isolated, excluded, anxious, uncomfortable and frustrated’. Of these people, they also noted they often had to ‘code-switch’ at work, which means to alter one’s behaviour in order to conform to a culture that is different from what they may authentically do within their own homes.

Moreover, the report highlighted what businesses can implement to help members of black and minority ethnics groups within a workplace. For example, ‘recognising the specific challenges that employees from black and ethnic minority groups are facing, and in turn by becoming more aware, utilising the information to safeguard ethnic minorities at work’.

They also suggested to ‘allocate board level responsibility’, ‘be actively anti-racist and prioritise inclusion’, ‘promote and design inclusive workplace health and wellbeing systems’ and lastly to ‘measure and be transparent about progress’.

Taking preventative steps to reduce and eradicate discrimination towards ethnic minorities within a workplace and becoming more aware of the impact this can have on individuals’ mental health, further enhances the concept of employee retention, community and a sense of belonging for ethnic minorities.

Employee Well-Being

A study conducted by Deloitte illustrated that poor mental health cost UK employers £45 billion per year. While steps may be taken to enforce employee benefits, more is required to ensure the workplace is supportive and safe for all employees.

Burnout usually manifests due to poor mental health and being overworked, thus affecting the overall success of a business. Implementing initiatives to support your employees’ mental health and becoming more aware of issues your staff may experience and then finding solutions that can be enforced at all levels within a company, can show your employees you value and appreciate them. This in turn can become a factor in improving employee retention, increasing the reputation of the business and aiding in attracting prospective employees.

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