Mental Health & Workplace Productivity

Good mental health has received increased priority as the working environment evolves. Its value to the continued well-being and safety of an organization cannot be understated, as well as its impact on productivity.

Hence, the team at Advanced CT would like you to know how mental health affects workplace productivity.

Mental Health Affects Quality of Life

Their symptoms may be subtle or practically invisible, but despite their hidden nature, mental health disorders can have very significant impacts on a worker’s life. Issues like ADHD (Attention Deficit Hyperactive Disorder), depression, or anxiety can create situations that reduce productivity.

Employees affected by mental disorders can experience difficulty when they need to focus on work tasks. Other issues that can crop up as a result of mental disorders include reduced motivation and trouble retaining memories. Consequently, the stress of these disorders can also lead to employee burnout.

Effects on Productivity

Without good mental health care, workplace productivity can suffer in a variety of ways. The hyperactivity that is associated with ADHD can prove useful in moments of hyperfocus but the restlessness and ease of distraction can prove detrimental. Depression in employees leads to procrastination, delays, and missed work. Mental health-related issues have been shown to cost billions of dollars in reduced productivity and it’s no surprise why.

It is possible to push through these symptoms and focus on being productive. The effects of racking up small but valuable wins in the workplace can combat depression and anxiety. However, this is just a short-term fix, and ignoring the root cause of the mental health disorder can lead to bigger problems down the line. Naturally, a larger problem that keeps growing will only produce worse results for the employee and the employer.

Mental Health Is Affected By Workplace Safety

Employers are responsible for ensuring a worker’s safety in the workplace. This is not limited to hazards that pose a physical danger but also those that can harm mental health.

Psychological health is a legislative issue, hence there are legal tenets that define the kinds of workplace behaviours that are mentally detrimental to employees. The legislation covers a wide range of actions that constitute

• Bullying
• Harassment
• Discrimination 

…in the workplace, both in-person and remotely.

Due to the various disorders, the differences in workplaces, and the individuality of employees, there cannot be a unified theory of workplace safety concerning mental health. As such, all factors that affect a particular workplace like;

• Size of the organization
• Tasks required of employees
• Leadership and
• External factors

…need to be considered when trying to improve the workplace for workers’ mental health.

Hazards in the workplace that threaten the physical health of employees can also affect employees’ mental health. If workers have to spend extensive periods in environments that hamper their workflow and can cause significant physical trauma, they can develop symptoms of stress and anxiety. The longer the hazards remain in place, the worse the stress and anxiety become.

How To Improve Mental Health In The Workplace

The required steps to combat mental disorders and support psychological well-being will not be simple but the gains to workplace morale and productivity will be invaluable.

An assessment of the workplace is a great place to start. It will help employers detect the hazards in the workplace that affect employees physically and mentally. Moreover, employees will also have a chance to express any issues they are having in the workplace.

In the attempt to create a workplace that does not hamper employees’ mental health, companies need to consider factors like;

• Work-life balance
• Respect and decency
• Responsibilities of leadership
• Culture of the workplace
• Physical and mental protection, etc.

Allowing employees the chance to safely manage their productivity without negatively impacting other things like relationships, rest, etc, can maximize their mental health.

Employers should also develop and deploy a CWHS (Comprehensive Workplace Health and Safety) program. This program consists of strategies, policies, and initiatives created with employee input to improve the collective psychological health of the workforce. This program needs to be updated regularly as the work environment adjusts.

Advanced CT – Leaders In Occupational Health and Safety Solutions

Mental health is a crucial part of workplace productivity and cannot be neglected. Ensuring that mental health issues are not caused or exacerbated by the workplace is the responsibility of employers everywhere.

Please contact us if you have any safety concerns in your workplace. Advanced CT provides consultation and safety programs that are designed to improve the safety of your workplace. Our services are built on a wealth of knowledge and experience and we can tailor our programs to fit any organizational style and structure