The COVID-19 pandemic has brought the relationship between our work and our well-being into clearer focus. The numbers are grim. Two recent surveys have showed that:
- 76% of U.S. workers report at least one symptom of a mental health condition.
- 84% of those employees think that their job is a contributing factor.
In response, Dr. Vivek Murthy, the U.S. Surgeon General, has released a comprehensive report on workplace mental health and well-being, which focuses on five essential ways employers can better support their employees’ mental health:
- Protection from Harm. Creating the conditions for physical and psychological safety is a critical foundation for ensuring workplace mental health and well-being. This Essential rests on two human needs: safety and security.
- Connection and Community. Fostering positive social interactions and relationships in the workplace supports worker well-being. This Essential rests on two human needs: social support and belonging.
- Work-Life Harmony. Professional and personal roles can together create work and non-work conflicts. The ability to integrate work and non-work demands, for all workers, rests on the human needs of autonomy and flexibility.
- Mattering at Work. People want to know that they matter to those around them and that their work matters. Knowing you matter has been shown to lower stress, while feeling like you do not can raise the risk for depression. This Essential rests on the human needs of dignity and meaning.
- Opportunity for Growth. When organizations create more opportunities for workers to accomplish goals based on their skills and growth, workers become more optimistic about their abilities and more enthusiastic about contributing to the organization. This Essential rests on the human needs of learning and a sense of accomplishment.
What this means to you:
Dr. Murthy says it better than I could:
The pandemic has presented us with an opportunity to rethink how we work. We have the power to make workplaces engines for mental health and well-being. Doing so will require organizations to rethink how they protect workers from harm, foster a sense of connection among workers, show them that they matter, make space for their lives outside work, and support their long-term professional growth. This may not be easy. But it will be worth it because the benefits will accrue to both workers and organizations. A healthy workforce is the foundation for thriving organizations and a healthy community.
In Fair Measures Managing Within the Law course, your managers will learn best practices for creating and maintaining a healthy and respectful workplace. Call 800-458-2778 or by email us for more information about Managing Within the Law, available both in the classroom or on the web.
Updated 11-15-2022
Information here is correct at the time it is posted. Case decisions cited here may be reversed. Please do not rely on this information without consulting an attorney first.
