Mental Health in the Workplace – for Managers and HR

Scholarly article

Mental Health in the Workplace – for Managers and HR

Paths to well-being

Mental health plays an important role in working life. It helps to ensure that employees feel comfortable and that they can develop. It also supports them being efficient and working successfully with other team members. Strains on mental health usually appear in various areas and can lead to severe impairments.

As a manager, you’re aware of your responsibility for a healthy working environment. You want to make sure that everyone feels comfortable in the workplace.

Suggestions for a healthy leadership style:

Appreciation, trust and security

Promote a benevolent and trusting atmosphere. Recognise and value the performance of your staff. Show genuine interest in their concerns and worries. Ensure transparency and predictability by communicating openly. This creates an atmosphere of trust and security in which employees can flourish.

Adequate workload

Keep an eye on the stresses which arise from the quantity of tasks or due to the pressure of deadlines. Look for a good balance between routine and challenge in work tasks. Take into account that employees’ strains are also influenced by external factors, such as private issues.

Freedom for action

Whenever possible, let employees decide for themselves how to achieve their goals. Guidelines which are too rigid or limited decision-making options can have a negative effect on their health.

Social harmony

Take responsibility for how employees treat each other. Relationships with colleagues and/or superiors are a decisive motivating factor for most employees. Always keep an eye on changes in behaviour and/or performance of your staff and respond early in case of changes.

Movis manager consultations

Mental health is the key to contentment and well-being. Encourage this potential in your staff. Movis manager consultations will support you in doing that.