Workplace atmosphere and job requirements can significantly impact an employee's mental well-being. Similar to our personal lives, the relationships, obstacles, and pressures encountered at work may result in various mental health issues, such as stress, burnout, and anxiety. To maintain a productive and positive work environment, companies must recognize these factors and start addressing them seriously.
Thankfully, mental health and its impact on workplace safety and job performance have gotten significant attention in recent years, and organizations are starting to take notice. However, while many companies have begun to invest considerable time and money into wellness programs, some overlook one crucial aspect of employee well-being, workplace ergonomics. This article will explore workplace mental health and how companies can use ergonomics to promote a safer and happier workplace.
Ignoring the mental well-being of employees can have severe consequences for an organization. For example, high stress can lead to burnout, absenteeism, and increased employee turnover. It can also result in decreased productivity, poor decision-making, and an increased risk of accidents and injuries. These can end up being disruptive to operations and impacting a company's reputation and bottom line.
Stress-related health issues result in employee healthcare expenses that are nearly 50% higher than unstressed workers, amounting to over $300 billion in losses due to healthcare costs, absenteeism, and subpar job performance. These expenses arise as employees face stress-related health problems or turn to unhealthy coping strategies to manage their stress.
Companies can avoid many of the abovementioned negatives by acknowledging and taking steps to reduce workplace mental health risk factors. Those who do so will also improve overall employee morale, productivity, turnover, and absenteeism. Additionally, companies that prioritize mental health also show the world that they genuinely care for the well-being of their workers and, as a result, are more likely to attract and retain top talent.
There are several things companies can start doing today to improve overall employee mental health. The first thing is to gain leadership support for mental health initiatives. An increased focus on mental health will likely be a significant shift in a company's culture, and such changes must start at the top.
Leadership must address mental health issues, talk about them openly, and possibly even be vulnerable with their struggles. These personal stories and openness will go a long way toward creating an open and honest dialogue about mental health. Most people hide their mental health issues because they fear the negative connotations it may have for them in their careers. By having leadership acknowledge that these things are common and okay, people are more likely to share their struggles.
Flexibility within work schedules is also essential, as work-life balance is a commonly cited source of workplace stress. Everybody has a family, work, and personal life, and sometimes those things overlap. Companies that show more understanding of the emotional side of things will go a long way toward eliminating stress for workers.
Providing education on mental health and training on risk factors to look for will allow people to notice risks in their coworkers, themselves, and their family members. There are often early warning signs of severe issues, and giving people the tools to recognize them can allow them to intervene early and potentially help people before things progress. Also, by offering company-wide training on mental health, it destigmatizes the subject and makes it a part of the company and a more open form of communication.
Offering support and resources for those struggling with mental health issues to get help if needed is a huge step. Offering counseling services, Employee Assistance Programs, mental health apps, and other programs can help people address their issues or get the help they need. Make these resources widely known and promote them at every opportunity.
All of the above are practical tools for improving workplace mental health. However, one effective tool not often acknowledged by companies is the role of ergonomics in employee well-being.
Workplace ergonomics aims to reduce the risk of work-related injuries like musculoskeletal disorders while also enhancing overall employee well-being. It does this by evaluating and designing or adjusting different aspects of the workplace, like equipment, furniture, or the work process itself. Changes that can effectively reduce the risk of workplace injuries resulting from prolonged exposure to awkward positions or repetitive motions common in poorly designed workplaces.
Ergonomics plays a significant role in improving employee work conditions and overall comfort. For example, an ergonomically designed workstation with an adjustable chair and desk can improve employee posture and prevent discomfort. In addition, teaching workers proper body mechanics and eliminating at-risk behaviors or tasks reduces the likelihood of worker injuries, which can carry a heavy mental toll for those affected.
Fatigue is another factor that can impact an employee's mental health. For example, hard physical labor or working for long periods in awkward positions can drain energy levels and negatively affect mood. Proper ergonomics work toward eliminating these occurrences and at-risk tasks by redesigning processes or implementing policies that reduce the time under stress and encourage regular breaks that facilitate recovery. These adjustments can go a long way toward improving employee health, energy levels, and overall mood.
Organizations that want to remain competitive must prioritize their employees' physical and mental well-being, and ergonomics can help them. Companies that do will see healthier and happier employees. Thankfully, modern technology has made implementing an ergonomics program easier and more affordable.
TuMeke's Risk Suite harnesses the power of advanced computer vision and AI to revolutionize ergonomic risk prevention. The software captures video with a smartphone, eliminating the need for additional equipment, and employs industry-standard techniques to identify challenging postures. With the ability to assess ergonomic risks 12 times faster than traditional methods, the Risk Suite delivers many advantages, including reduced injuries, heightened employee engagement, and increased productivity.
TuMeke Ergonomics, a leader in computer vision joint tracking, is dedicated to eliminating workplace musculoskeletal injuries. Their diverse team of experts is developing the next-generation ergonomic risk assessment platform. Schedule a demo today to discover how TuMeke can help prevent workplace injuries and enhance productivity.
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