The expert explains how companies can promote employee well-being with simple actions
Mental health is a topic that has gained space in social debates, especially in the workplace. According to data from the “Market Corporate Well-Being Index (IBC)” survey, carried out by Zenklub, which shows how emotional well-being is in 13 sectors, in the first half of 2023 none of the sectors evaluated achieved the ideal minimum index of well-being that the study requires.
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Another survey, conducted by Vittude, showed that 33% of employees evaluated had some type of severe or extremely severe mental disorder. Among the pathologies considered in the study are: anxiety, depression and stress.
“The old idea of romanticizing the workaholicthat the more you work, the more chances you have of receiving recognition, even not respecting your limits (or even not recognizing them) contributes to burnout”, explains Ana Tomazelli, psychoanalyst and managing director of Ipefem (Institute for Research and Women’s Studies and multiple existences).
However, again according to the expert, it is “unfair to attribute individual responsibility when the problem is systemic and when the fear of losing one’s source of income is greater than the courage to preserve oneself. Instead, expecting the system to change in the short term is almost naïve on our part, which brings us back to more private spheres.”
Overwork leads to an increase in burnout cases
This exhaustion scenario directly contributes to the emergence of situations like that of burnt. A study of International Association for Stress Management (ISMA) reveals that Brazil is in second place in the number of diagnosed cases, surpassed only by Japan, where the problem affects 70% of the population.
“People develop symptoms and illnesses that, together, can be interpreted as Burnout, for this reason the cause of the syndrome is not always directly recognized. There are some variables responsible for the illness of professionals, such as leadership that commits harassment, colleagues that they practice bullying, the corporate culture of performance with hard and inflexible goals, among other points that could be difficult to bring into the judicial sphere”, mentions Ana Tomazelli.
Furthermore, it is worth noting that racial and gender issues are aggravating in this context. A survey conducted by the University of Georgia showed that 70% of female executives surveyed feel like scammers at work. According to another study by the business consultancy KPMG, the syndrome undermines 75% of women’s confidence in the market.
“Excessive working hours, gender discrimination and domestic overload are some of the causes of mental illness among Brazilians in their work environments,” underlines the CEO and co-founder of the startup Plure, the only job portal in Brazil focused on plural women, Jhenyffer Coutinho.
Create healthier work environments
To promote effective actions and combat problems like these, the psychoanalyst indicates 5 tips for companies to promote healthier work environments for employees. I wait!
1. Promote a safe space for dialogue
A survey conducted by the Research Institute for Women’s Studies (IPEFEM), with more than 200 participants, shows that only 37% of professionals feel completely safe in disagreeing with their leadership in the sector Desktops.
Already 63% have expressed some reservations or fear of taking sides when they disagree with the leadership. “These numbers reflect the psychological insecurity of corporate environments, considering that psychological safety shouldn’t be something negotiable,” says Ana Tomazelli.
two. Establish a safe and healthy environment
The World Health Organization emphasizes that safe and healthy workplaces are a fundamental right for everyone. When they welcome their employees, companies are more likely to improve performance and productivity, as well as minimize internal tensions and conflicts that can impact mental health.
3. Encourage actions to combat harassment
Physical, psychological or moral harassment at work violates human rights and harms mental and physical health. It is the company’s obligation to identify and seek solutions to these types of problems, combating the attitudes of leaders who commit harassment, colleagues who practice bullying, the corporate culture of performance with hard and inflexible goals, among other points.
4. Appreciate diversity
Recruitment processes must take into account diversity, as well as the recruitment and retention of talent. From the moment the picture is more diverse, it is also necessary to ensure the well-being of employees, sensitizing leaders and teams to combat unconscious biases, emphasizes the CEO of Plure.
5. Improve the quality of life of employees
Increasingly, employees are looking for much more than just salaries, they want to be in a company that is in line with their ideals, which offers an environment conducive to their development, new learning and which is open to dialogue.
Whether in presence or remote work, the company must take care of the employee and promote his satisfaction, offering suitable working conditions and the necessary equipment, which also leads to an increase in productivity.
“Leaders need to think about targeted actions mental health of its employees throughout the year and not just on specific dates. Each employee is unique and needs to be treated according to their life experiences and individuality,” concludes Ana Tomazelli.
By Letícia Carvalho
Source: Terra
Ben Stock is a lifestyle journalist and author at Gossipify. He writes about topics such as health, wellness, travel, food and home decor. He provides practical advice and inspiration to improve well-being, keeps readers up to date with latest lifestyle news and trends, known for his engaging writing style, in-depth analysis and unique perspectives.
