To mark this day, we share this article to raise awareness and challenge the colleague next to them and remember that, often, what upside the work environment has a profound impact on their well-being, motivation e way they, and performance.
When we look at an employee, we see someone committed to meeting the organization’s needs and fulfilling responsibilities, objectives, and expectations. However, it is easy to forget that behind every task delivered, every meeting held, and every deadline met, there is a person with a life of challenges, achievements, anxieties, and joys. The workplace can sometimes be where the pressure of “I need this yesterday” overshadows personal and emotional issues. But should we ignore this fundamental side of employees?
We may not know that a colleague is going through family difficulties, health problems or financial issues, as there is an almost cultural pressure to maintain a professional identity separate from personal life. However, it is essential to recognise that humans do not switch off their different dimensions as if they had an “on” and “off” switch.
Organisations must promote work-life balance and be sensitive to employees’ experiences and challenges. If companies fail to acknowledge the full range of their employees’ lives, they risk losing empathy and creating an environment where workers feel uncomfortable sharing their struggles and seeking the support they need.
So how can we create a more humane workplace? It all starts with empathy. Leaders and managers play a crucial role in understanding that their employees’ well-being is not confined to the workplace. By actively listening and showing genuine concern, they can create a culture of openness. This is not about invading privacy but about empowering employees to feel comfortable discussing their challenges when necessary.
For example, flexible working arrangements, such as flexible hours, remote working, and availability to address personal issues, demonstrate an understanding that employees have responsibilities outside of work. Likewise, providing access to psychological support or creating internal support networks can ensure employees have the resources to deal with personal challenges.
“Work-life balance” has been widely discussed and is one of the most significant organizational challenges. Focusing on performance and results in many companies leads to long working hours, directly affecting employees’ personal lives. However, when there is no balance, the adverse effects can be devastating, not only for people’s mental health but also for the company as a whole.
Companies that promote a healthy work-life balance tend to have happier, more committed employees who are consequently more productive. When the whole person is valued, work stops being a source of stress and becomes a healthy and integrated part of life.
On World Mental Health Day, it is essential to remember that employees are much more than their job title. They have complex lives, personal challenges, and dreams beyond the workplace. Creating an organizational environment where these realities are recognized and respected is crucial to people’s well-being and companies’ success.
Above all, fostering mental health means seeing employees as complete human beings whose lives deserve attention and support, even if they are not always visible.