ESG Reporting Intelligence Logo

Mental Health and Well-being Awareness in the Workplace – DEI

by | Mar 21, 2023 | ESG

Academy Training

Organisational and leadership focus, up until recently was almost exclusively focused on financial viability and the customer-centric mindset. In a post-pandemic-world the mental well-being of the staff – the businesses lifeblood, has emerged as a critical area of focus. A survey conducted by Gallup shows that the daily stress experienced by employees has climbed to 43% globally (Gallup, 2021).

According to a report by Deloitte on mental health and well-being, between a quarter and half of the global population is affected by a mental health challenge at some point in their lives (Deloitte, 2022). Coupled with the great resignation, this has put the focus back on where it should have always been – employee well-being. Interestingly, when asked what they look for in an employer, employee well-being was featured in the top three criteria of employees of all generations (Gallup, 2021).

In addition to the above, between 2011 and 2030, the cumulative economic output loss associated with mental health difficulties is projected to be $16.3 trillion worldwide (Deloitte, 2022). It becomes imperative for an organisation to address and ensure the mental health and well-being of its employees by taking the necessary steps.

Mental Health and Well-being

Sadly, too often, the stigma around mental health prevents people who need help from seeking it. But that simply doesn’t make any sense. Whether an illness affects your heart, your arm or your brain, it’s still an illness, and there shouldn’t be any distinction…we should make it clear that getting help isn’t a sign of weakness — it’s a sign of strength — and we should ensure that people can get the treatment they need.

– Michelle Obama, American Attorney & Author

At the heart of mental health and well-being is the mental and psychological well-being of an individual coupled with positive self-esteem. Socioeconomic, biological and environmental factors play a significant role in determining mental health and can affect work productivity. Well-being involves an individual’s life experiences and a comparison of life circumstances with social norms and values. Mental well-being enables an individual to cope with the stresses of daily life, including work-related stress. It also equips an individual to adapt and manage in times of change and uncertainty. Mental health and well-being assist immensely in forging social relationships, thereby contributing to the community.

To build a resilient and vibrant workforce, many organisations are doubling down on mental health and well-being programmes. Their commitment towards and interest in mental health programmes is quite extensive now. Amazon recently upped the ante by introducing six new mental health benefits and resources for its employees (Amazon, 2022).

Role of the Employees

‘The Great Resignation’ and ‘Quiet Quitting’ have compelled organisations to look inward. These employees have also triggered organisations to reassess their plans. A recent report by the American Psychological Association cites that 81% of employees approve that mental health support by employers will be a deciding factor when looking for future work (Forbes, 2022). Such cases should not be treated in isolation because the advantages of the five elements of well-being found by Gallup, viz. career, social, financial, physical and community well-being (Gallup, 2021), are manifold as they help an individual flourish. The employees should-

  • Prioritise their physical and psychological safety at the workplace, including adequate rest and mental health support.

  • Encourage teamwork and collaboration, including the creation of a culture of inclusion and belonging.

  • Aim for work-life balance.

  • Be recognised at work.

  • Seek growth opportunities (Forbes, 2022).

The above points should be of utmost significance to an organisation as they ultimately impact employee engagement, productivity and performance, realising an organisation’s aim to thrive and not just survive.

 
Role of the Management

The State of the Global Workplace 2021 Report states that we are in the midst of a global mental health crisis set to deepen without extensive intervention. This has meant a renewed focus on career well-being as it greatly affects positive outcomes (Gallup, 2021). Large organisations like Microsoft found that 53% of over 31,000 global employees said they’re more likely to prioritise health and well-being over work than before the pandemic (Forbes, 2022). It should prompt organisations to return to the drawing board and rethink their mental health and well-being strategy. The organisations could consider and implement the following well-being initiatives.

  • Boosting well-being by inspiring employees to share their ideas.

  • Encouraging and incentivising employees to exercise.

  • Recognising the well-being achievements of employees.

  • Set well-being as an annual goal.

  • Social network to share well-being best practices (Gallup, 2022).

Advantages of Integrating ESG

More than three thousand signatories to the Principles for Responsible Investment indicated mental health as one of the top social issues they would prioritise (Forbes, 2021). Others have called for moving to ESHG (Fortune, 2021), incorporating health into the acronym. Forging ESG strategies jointly with the organisation’s larger mental health and well-being initiatives will help reap accrued benefits. A study conducted by Lancet found every $1 invested in mental health evidence-based programmes, employers can save $2-4 on other expenses (Forbes, 2021).

Work takes up a significant part of our lives, and employees have for a long time done justice to emotionally draining work that challenges their work-life balance and, most often than not, entails a lack of recognition. The organisations have started acknowledging these lacunae and are making the necessary changes as they understand that the time to act is now.

Bibliography

1. Amazon, 2022. Workplace. [Online] Available at: https://www.aboutamazon.com/news/workplace/6-new-mental-health-benefits-and-resources-for-amazon-employees

2. Deloitte, 2022. [Online] Available at: https://www.deloitte.com/content/dam/assets-shared/legacy/docs/perspectives/2022/gx-trend-mental-health.pdf

3. Forbes, 2021. Diversity, Equity & Inclusion. [Online] Available at: https://www.forbes.com/sites/onemind/2021/10/14/why-esg-metrics–strategies-should-include-mental-health/?sh=2b49813e403d

4. Forbes, 2022. Leadership Strategy. [Online] Available at: https://www.forbes.com/sites/alainhunkins/2022/11/28/the-new-road-map-to-improve-employee-well-being/?sh=6afea2df5ee2

5. Forbes, 2022. Small Business. [Online] Available at: https://www.forbes.com/sites/forbesbusinesscouncil/2022/11/07/employee-well-being-is-a-duty-of-care-for-leaders/?sh=197811c37af0

6. Fortune, 2021. Commentary. [Online] Available at: https://fortune.com/2021/08/25/esg-companies-health-reporting-legal-general/

7. Gallup, 2021. Workplace. [Online] Available at: https://www.gallup.com/workplace/352952/employees-wellbeing-job-leave-find.aspx

8. Gallup, 2021. Workplace. [Online] Available at: https://www.gallup.com/workplace/340202/wellness-wellbeing-difference.aspx

9. Gallup, 2022. Workplace. [Online] Available at: https://www.gallup.com/workplace/391739/showing-care-employee-wellbeing.aspx

Images-

10. iStock, 2016. iStock. [Online] Available at: https://www.istockphoto.com/photo/well-being-or-wellness-gm612490612-105511235

11. The American University In Cairo, n.d. [Online] Available at: https://www.aucegypt.edu/mental-health-and-well-being

Recent Posts

Introduction of CSRD in the European Union

by | Mar 20, 2024 | ESG | 0 Comments

The introduction of the Corporate Sustainability Reporting Directive (CSRD) on January 1st, 2024, marks a significant milestone in the European Union’s approach towards...

EU LIFE Programme: Funding of green projects

by | Mar 20, 2024 | ESG | 0 Comments

The LIFE Programme serves as the European Union's financial tool dedicated to environmental and climate action. Since its inception in 1992, it has actively nurtured...

European Union: Import and International Supply Chains

by | Mar 20, 2024 | ESG | 0 Comments

In a globalised world with large international supply chains many companies are facing risks related to supplier management. ESG Reporting Intelligence offers European...

Workplace Health and Safety

by | Mar 9, 2024 | ESG | 0 Comments

The resilient workforce of an organisation guarantees a strong foundation for an organisation to sustain and flourish not only when the sailing is smooth but also in...

Working from Home: The New Path to Achieving “Net Zero” Emissions, Focusing on Scope 1, 2, and 3

by | Mar 9, 2024 | ESG | 0 Comments

In recent years, the concept of achieving net zero emissions has gained significant traction as the world grapples with the urgent need to mitigate climate change....

Understanding DEI Policies and Tracking DEI Data Amid Changing Regulations

by | Mar 9, 2024 | ESG | 0 Comments

In today's diverse and inclusive world, organisations recognise the importance of implementing robust Diversity, Equity and Inclusion (DEI) policies. Its significance...

The Why Behind Limited Global ESG Audits at First: Explained

by | Mar 9, 2024 | ESG | 0 Comments

The world, as we know it today, needs to take sweeping steps to prevent environmental degradation. The concerted efforts of multinational companies in this direction...

The Proliferation of Climate-Related Risk: Special Reference to TCFD

by | Mar 9, 2024 | ESG | 0 Comments

In recent years, the world has witnessed an alarming increase in the frequency and severity of climate-related events. From extreme weather events to rising sea levels...

Safeguarding Digital Privacy: Balancing Convenience and Security

by | Mar 8, 2024 | ESG | 0 Comments

In the modern digital era, where technology permeates every aspect of our lives, ensuring digital privacy has become paramount. With the growing dependence on the...