According to experts, it is necessary to invest in mental health programs, but also to evaluate whether they bring results
Psychological safety is the perception that employees have that they can express their ideas, express their opinion, make mistakes and take risks without fear of retaliation or judgment. However, the majority do not feel safe in their environments.
According to a study carried out by Betterfly, in collaboration with Criteria, six out of ten professionals in Latin America believe that their workplace does not offer safety and hospitality. The survey also shows that 60% of those interviewed complain about the lack of balance between the hours dedicated to work and personal life, while 67% do not feel recognized for the good performances obtained.
The data shows that it is not enough to invest only in mental health, it is necessary to monitor the work environment to ensure that it is a safe place that is attentive to welcoming those who lead and are driven. Considering this scenario, Tatiana Pimenta, CEO of Vitudecompany that strategically develops and manages mental health programs for companies, shares 3 key tips for improving psychological safety in companies.
Starting point: open communication
In the corporate environment, it is common to have a diversity of opinions within the team. This, in itself, does not become a problem. However, a concern arises when leadership not only fails to listen to the team’s contributions, but also discourages them by suppressing suggestions for improvements.
“By fostering a space conducive to new ideas, we create an environment that is not only creative, but also highly productive. Listening to employees’ perspectives on the company, the work environment and team dynamics is essential. Even when the feedback is unfavorable, it becomes a starting point for improvements. Solving these problems in an agile way not only accelerates the creation of a more welcoming environment, but also contributes to efficiency and productivity at work”, underlines Tatiana Pimenta.
Monitor team engagement and mental health
It is essential for organizations to conduct organizational climate surveys every two weeks or monthly to assess the level of satisfaction, employee engagement and even the mental health of each employee. Based on the results obtained it is essential to implement corrective actions.
“Regular assessment is one of the ways to continuously ensure psychological safety in the workplace. Anonymously, every employee can express their feelings and it is up to leadership to create a space where the team feels comfortable to openly discuss concerns issues of concern to the company. Don’t wait for discouragement to take over and productivity to decline to pay attention to the emotional health of employees. After all, without mental health there is no future for work,” Tatiana emphasizes.
Make leadership understand that the protagonist is the manager
Mental health should be a priority across the business – CEOs, HR and leadership. Everyone needs to work together to ensure the business environment remains healthy.
However, even if it is a shared responsibility, it is essential to remember that leaders occupy a privileged position, which allows them to carry out practical actions and make strategic decisions with positive impacts for the team. For the CEO of Vittude it is essential to remember this role of managers in professional life and in the well-being of the workspace on a daily basis.
“Leaders need to be trained to understand everything related to the context of mental health at work. Many people still believe in taboos and stigmas related to the topic, which can significantly hinder the process. Managers need to receive training to deal with the different types of subject-related problems that can arise in daily work. To achieve this, it is essential to develop a careful and humanized perspective to be able to observe the behavior of the people being guided and handle each case individually”, concludes Tatiana.
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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.
