CNBC says the damage to our mental health from COVID could last a decade or more. There was an influx of people that sought professional mental health treatment during the pandemic. There’s been an increase in depression and anxiety. Mental health experts interviewed in the CNBC article call it a “pressure cooker.” This, on top of the fact that the article points out people are looking for more out of work and out of life post-COVID. What can you do to help your team cope with mental health issues this year? Physical health in a warehouse includes your mental health. What can warehouse teams do right now to protect their mental health this year?
Talk About Mental Health
Yes, we know there is a stigma associated with talking about mental health. But you should work with your HR team to diminish the stigma by talking about these issues. Talk about stress as a safety risk in your job and establish healthy outlets for stress management. For example, stretching, meditation, and other healthy activities along with allowing for more flex time for your workforce can all help employees that feel overwhelmed. Your teams should understand that depression is an illness. Just like heart disease or cancer, mental illness affects a part of your body, i.e., the brain. Understand that depression has clear signs that are different from just having a bad day.
Promote your EAP
If your company has a confidential employee assistance program, the chances are high that it hasn’t been used much. Your job is to change that. Work with your HR team to get the word out that employees can use their EAP for a variety of services from legal counseling to mental health help. EAPs are great benefits for employees to have but you would be shocked at how few of your employees actually know something about this important benefit. Remind employees periodically about the benefits your EAP offers such as confidential counseling and hotline support.
Support Work/Life Balance
When you have a warehouse full of stuff to move, it’s hard to think about work/life balance as a pressing business need—but it is. At the end of the day, you want to move products and deliver value; we get that. The problem is, this kind of pressure can cause the flare ups of mental health and well-being issues such as burnout. And in this economy, you do not want your current employees feeling the added pressure of a fast pace with few breaks. That’s a recipe for a retention problem. So, how do you find balance? The answer is to know your teams. Train your managers in how to spot the telltale signs of mental health issues; these issues are just as harmful. Your managers should be trained in how to spot these issues and what to do about them when they arise.
Creating a culture of openness around mental health issues will lessen the stigma of these illnesses. This allows you to get help to the person and ultimately create a happier, healthier workplace where everyone benefits—including the productivity of your teams.
People Plus believes in taking care of our people. We work with top employers to find them the best talent on the market today. How can we help you today?
