The Hard Truth: Bad Workplaces Yield Mental Health Problems

man beside white frame window

STORY HIGHLIGHTS

  • Engaged employees are more likely report work has a positive impact on mental health
  • Commitment to building strengths is a top driver of positive effect on mental health
  • Poor management is extremely harmful to the mental health of workers

Before diving into this article, what words do you associate with a workplace you love? 

  • Bullying and harassment
  • Lack of support from management
  • Lack of transparency and trust
  • Unfair treatment
  • High levels of stress

Toxic Workplaces and Negative Mental Health

Toxic workplaces can have a negative impact on the mental health of employees. A toxic work environment can be characterized by a range of behaviors and practices:

  • Bullying and harassment: A toxic workplace may tolerate or condone bullying, harassment, or other forms of abusive behavior. This can create a hostile and intimidating work environment that can have a negative impact on the mental health of employees.

  • Lack of support from management: In a toxic workplace, management may be unresponsive or unsupportive, or may fail to address issues raised by employees. This can leave employees feeling unsupported and vulnerable.

  • Lack of transparency and trust: A toxic workplace may be characterized by a lack of transparency and trust, with management withholding information or making decisions without consulting employees. This can create a sense of uncertainty and insecurity among employees.

  • Unfair treatment: A toxic workplace may be characterized by unfair treatment of employees, such as favoritism, discrimination, or unequal opportunities for advancement.

  • High levels of stress: A toxic workplace may place unrealistic demands on employees, leading to high levels of stress and burnout.

Exposure to a toxic work environment can lead to a range of mental health issues, including stress, anxiety, depression, and burnout. It can also contribute to the development of physical health problems, such as heart disease and high blood pressure.

Toxic workplaces can also create a sense of isolation and disconnection from colleagues, which can further contribute to mental health problems.

Promoting Workplace Wellness is Key to Employee Performance and Retention

As a management of an organisation, you might characteristise employee with poor mental health as weak. However, workplaces have a responsibility to promote good mental health for several reasons.

  1. Good mental health is essential for overall well-being: Poor mental health can have serious consequences for an individual’s physical and emotional well-being, as well as their ability to work effectively. By promoting good mental health, workplaces can help employees to maintain their overall well-being and productivity.

  2. Poor mental health can impact work performance: Mental health problems can affect an individual’s ability to concentrate, make decisions, and perform their job effectively. By promoting good mental health, workplaces can help to ensure that employees are able to work to their full potential.

  3. Promoting good mental health is good for business: A positive work environment that supports the mental health of employees can have a range of benefits for businesses, including increased productivity, reduced absenteeism, and reduced staff turnover.

  4. Legal obligations: In some cases, employers may have legal obligations to promote good mental health in the workplace, such as under anti-discrimination laws or occupational health and safety regulations.

By promoting good mental health in the workplace, employers can create a positive and productive work environment and support the well-being of their employees.

Engagement is Key to Foster Positive Mental Health

Mental health is an important aspect of overall health and well-being, and it can be affected by a variety of factors, including work. The workplace can be a significant source of stress for some people, and it can also be a supportive environment that promotes mental well-being.

There are several ways that employers can support the mental health of their employees in the workplace:

  1. Encourage open communication about mental health: Encourage employees to speak openly about their mental health and offer resources and support for those who may be struggling.

  2. Provide resources and support: Offer resources such as employee assistance programs, counseling services, or mental health days to help employees manage their mental health.

  3. Promote work-life balance: Encourage employees to take breaks, vacation time, and to disconnect from work when they are not on the clock.

  4. Foster a positive work culture: Create a positive and supportive work culture that promotes collaboration, respect, and inclusivity.

  5. Address workplace stressors: Identify and address sources of stress in the workplace, such as heavy workloads, unrealistic deadlines, or a negative work environment.

By taking steps to support the mental health of their employees, employers can create a more positive and productive work environment.