Good question.
World Mental Health Day is celebrated every year on 10 October. This year's theme set by the World Federation of Mental Health is workplace mental health. The theme highlights the importance of addressing mental health and wellbeing in the workplace, for the benefit of people, organisations, and communities.
As professionals, we spend a significant portion of our waking hours at work. Many businesses in all sectors put a lot of effort into making sure they support mental health programs, and offer a way for employees to access that support. Unfortunately however, an awful lot then do not concentrate on that commitment in the hiring decisions they make, and recruit based on the belief that certain personality types make the best leaders of people. This based on the promise of fast business results, based on a question set, or a personality test that bears no relation to the leadership of people. Inevitably, this leads to a conflict. The rhetoric of the policy Vs the reality of the person.
Poor mental health can negatively impact on, or hinder participation in employment. To this point, the latest official stats in our otherwise fantastic industry are quite numbing.
In 2023, mental health was the 5th most common reason given for sickness absence, accounting for 7.9% of occurrences. In 2024, Mental ill health is now the most common cause of work-limiting conditions among those aged 44 years and younger.
Over the past decade, the number of workers aged 16–34 years who reported that their mental health limits the type or amount of work they can do has more than quadrupled
In 2022/23, there were an estimated 875,000 workers suffering from work-related stress, depression or anxiety, resulting in 17.1 million working days lost.
Poor mental wellbeing costs employers in the UK an estimated £42 billion to £45 billion annually through presenteeism, sickness absence and staff turnover.
almost all (85%) of hospitality professionals in suffering, are so afraid for the survival in their job, that they do not want to raise their concerns with you
What does it say about our actual, real dedication to helping our teams in their darkest hours when over four in five (85%) hospitality professionals have reported symptoms of poor mental health over the past year ?
How do you feel when you hear that over half (53%) of your staff admitted they were planning to leave their current job in the immediate future ?
How damning is it when almost a quarter (24%) of hospitality professionals said they wanted better managerial support on progression and clearer communication, and over half (55%) citing that they believe their boss actively doesn't care about them or their mental wellbeing. Wake up and look in the mirror industry leaders - almost all (85%) of hospitality professionals in suffering, are so afraid for their jobs they do not want to raise their concerns with you.
The relationship we have with our boss can greatly influence our overall well-being, including our mental health.
The Boss
A good boss understands the importance of mental health and creates a positive work environment that supports it. They prioritise open communication, provide constructive feedback, and offer resources and accommodations when needed. They recognise the signs of stress and burnout and take action to prevent them.
With this boss:
✅ You feel valued and respected - always
✅ You have a good work-life balance and can use your diary honestly
✅ You feel comfortable expressing your concerns and ideas
✅ You receive constructive feedback that helps you grow and develop, and actions that prove that
✅ You have access to mental health resources and accommodations if needed
On the other hand, a boss who disregards mental health can quickly create a toxic work environment that contributes to anxiety, depression, and other mental health challenges. They may micromanage, criticise, badly communicate or create unrealistic expectations that lead to burnout. Most importantly they will probably be in total denial that they behave this way.
Have you ever found yourself wondering if your boss is secretly trying to drive you crazy? Or worse that they may be trying to force you to a point that you cannot cope ? Or even worse, actively creating barriers to your good mental wellbeing ?
That friends, is no laughing matter.
I mean, who needs a boss-induced panic attack when you can have a laughing fit instead. Who needs to put up with a false guilt induced by leadership bought from Wish. Nobody. That's who. It's vital to recognise the signs of a toxic work environment and take steps to protect your well-being. Whatever brevity your boss places on it, your mental health is no joke.
So, if you're feeling overwhelmed, undervalued, or just plain looney thanks to your boss, it might be time to reevaluate your situation. And remember, just because you're going crazy at work, doesn't mean you actually have to lose your marbles.
So in summary - we should prioritise mental health in the workplace and create a positive, supportive environment for everyone. This is not just to the benefit of our valued team - but recent (May 2024) research by Deloittes finds that, on average, there is a positive return on investment of around £4.70 for every £1 invested in mental health interventions in the workplace.
Parenting programs: Can save up to £15.80 for every £1 spent. These programs can help parents strengthen their relationships with their children and promote positive mental health.
Workplace wellbeing programs: Can save an estimated £2.37 for every £1 invested over a year.
Stress prevention programs: Can save an estimated £2.00 for every £1 invested over two years.
Debt and welfare services: Can save an estimated £2.60 for every £1 invested over five years.
Suicide prevention programs: Can save an estimated £2.93 for every £1 invested over ten years.
Social and emotional learning programs: Can save an estimated £5.08 for every £1 invested over three years.
On top of just managing people properly - Isn't all that worth fighting for as well?
I think so.
Comments