Mentally strong workforce equals business productivity

Singapore – It makes good business sense for HR to actively promote a positive lifestyle among their employees as a physically and mentally healthy workforce will help the organisation thrive.

While a career provides the employee a source of income, it can, depending on the physical and mental commitment, also be a source of stress. Hence, how an employee manages job-related stress will significantly impact his or her productivity, efficiency and effectiveness -- which in turn affects business profitability.

According to Sng Yan Ling, manager (Mental Health Education) of the adult and elderly health division for the Health Promotion Board, human resources practitioners need to promote mental wellbeing in the workplace to help employees manage stress by empowering every employee with awareness and skills to manage the stresses of daily living. That way, the individual’s mental resilience to deal with long term adversities improves, she says.

To create a supportive and conducive work environment, companies should consider implementing organisational policies such as work-life policies, open communication channels and job redesigning for their employees. Companies can also provide access to mental health services such as phone or face-to-face counselling, stress management resources, mental first-aid training or assistance, if needed. “Begin by looking at the sources of stress at the workplace, and assess the mental health needs of the employees before embarking on appropriate interventions.”

While HR can provide the fundamentals for a thriving workplace, employees can do their part by learning to optimise their mental wellbeing first. Sng advises employees to build a good sense of self worth, be realistic in their expectations of self and others, manage time well and cope with changes or challenges positively.

Some suggestions in managing stress include setting reasonable work standards for oneself, taking short breaks periodically throughout the day to stay energised and creating a to-do list for work to be done to reduce anxiety.