{"id":6169,"date":"2022-11-30T11:46:51","date_gmt":"2022-11-30T00:46:51","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/seedpeopleconsulting.com.au\/?p=6169"},"modified":"2024-12-13T10:27:33","modified_gmt":"2024-12-12T23:27:33","slug":"mentally-well-workplaces","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/seedpeopleconsulting.com.au\/mentally-well-workplaces\/","title":{"rendered":"How can we create mentally well workplaces?"},"content":{"rendered":"

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According to a recent whitepaper<\/a> by the Black Dog Institute, mentally unhealthy workplaces are costing Australia up to $39 million each year due to sickness absence and productivity.<\/p>\n

But we don\u2019t need statistics to tell us that. We\u2019re seeing it every day in our businesses, among friends and family \u2013 and in ourselves.<\/p>\n

From stress and burnout to anxiety, depression and substance dependency, increasing work pressure is pushing the boundaries of our psychological limits.<\/p>\n

But why has it become an issue? And, even more importantly, what can we do to create mentally well workplaces?<\/p>\n

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From workplace shift to psychological stress<\/strong><\/h2>\n

Workplaces have become increasingly unhealthy due to a shift in how we work.<\/p>\n

Digitalisation has increased flexibility but blurred the boundaries with the expectation we\u2019re always on and available. COVID and work from home have compounded this. They\u2019ve also increased social isolation and created return to office anxiety. Plus, the shift to casual and the gig economy means less security.<\/p>\n

On top of this, today\u2019s current economy, including the rising cost of living and increasing interest rates, is further impacting mental health.<\/p>\n

The result is stressed, burnt out, and mentally unwell employees, which leads to poorer productivity and profits.<\/p>\n

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What\u2019s the solution? Wellness programs are a start!<\/strong><\/h2>\n

To start fighting back against mental health and improve mental wellbeing, more and more employers are taking steps to create more mentally well workplaces.<\/p>\n

This includes setting boundaries, such as defined hours and ensuring breaks, and adopting wellness programs.<\/p>\n

Recent figures<\/a> show that 64 per cent of Australian businesses are now implementing employee wellness programs. And people are saying \u2018Yes, please!\u2019 with 94 per cent of employees believing they\u2019re important.<\/p>\n

What\u2019s a wellness program? Wellness programs are programs or activities an employee instigates to improve employee health \u2013 and to help individuals overcome specific health-related issues.<\/p>\n

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Real benefits of bringing in wellness programs<\/strong><\/h2>\n

\u00a0<\/strong>Corporate wellbeing programs aren\u2019t just a way to look like you\u2019re tackling employee wellbeing in the workplace. Research and surveys have shown they have a very real positive impact.<\/p>\n

Some of the benefits of employee wellbeing programs include:<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/strong>Increased productivity<\/p>\n