Every year, depression affects one in every five employees and costs U.S. businesses $210 billion in medical bills and lost productivity, according to www.forconstructionpros.com.
For every worker with a depressive disorder, a company loses an average of 32 productive workdays per year. Depressed employees also are four to five times more likely to experience work-related problems than employees with chronic physical illnesses such as diabetes or heart disease.
Therefore, it is important to recognize employees’ struggles and help equip them with ways to handle their issues.
Resilience can help employees tackle stress, a competitive job market and workplace conflicts while addressing challenges on the job. Because employees identify work as the No. 1 stressor in their lives, improving resilience can be key.
Research shows workplace depression and anxiety can be reduced by coaching employees to increase their resilience—the ability to maintain good mental health despite psychological or physical setbacks. A study by Harvard Business School and online resilience intervention platform Happify found during a two-month period, a business-initiated resilience program resulted in a significant reduction in presenteeism (employees working while sick), which led to a company gain of $1,846 per person in terms of greater productivity.
According to www.forconstructionpros.com, the following tips can help your employees become more resilient:
- Understand your employees. People who are supported, motivated and equipped are best positioned to overcome obstacles and distractions. Talk to workers about which work-related stressors affect them most and ask them for suggestions regarding how to make it better.
- Focus on need. Once you know what changes employees require, develop a resiliency program around it. View a comprehensive report from the American Heart Association examining resilience training in the workplace for a helpful start.
- Provide resources. It is important employers provide access to services and support to help employees maintain good physical and mental health. Ensure employees are informed regarding how to access care and such care is available for those who need it.
Companies should consider wellness programs that offer workers a variety of choices so they can pick the activities that appeal to them. It’s also crucial for managers to openly express support for wellness initiatives and encourage people to use them. Managers can set a good example by taking breaks themselves.
