Have you ever felt so exhausted and mentally drained from work that it started impacting your well-being? If you’ve been there, it’s a sign your company culture may need adjusting to support employee mental health better. The work environment and culture you cultivate directly influence your team’s mental wellness.
When company values and norms prioritize well-being, employees thrive. But a negative, toxic culture breeds burnout, anxiety, and disengagement. Your mental health struggles are likely being felt by your employees, too. As a leader, you can transform your workplace into one that destigmatizes mental health issues and proactively nurtures the whole person.
Let’s work together to reshape your company culture and prioritize your team’s mental health.
How Company Culture Affects Employee Mental Health
The connection between employee mental health and company culture is undeniable. A supportive workplace culture isn’t just nice to have—it’s essential to keeping your team psychologically strong and successful. But here’s the catch: Changing company culture isn’t as easy as building gym memberships or offering stress apps.
The workplace environment has changed dramatically, especially due to the pandemic and social justice movements.1 Employees place a high priority on the workplace. They really want a culture that supports their mental health and overall well-being.
Getting caught up in your deliverables is easy, especially in the contact service industry. This might perpetuate a hustle culture. However, when unchecked, negative company culture can significantly affect employee health. This could lead to serious physical health issues such as:2
- Increased stress
- Fatigue
- Depression
- Obesity
- High blood pressure
- Sleep problems
- Let’s not forget about productivity and retention
Remember, a negative workplace culture harms employees’ health and hurts your bottom line, leading to decreased productivity and higher turnover rates.
In the call center industry, where pressure can be high, fostering a positive company culture is more important than ever. It’s about an environment where employees feel supported, valued, and empowered by putting their mental health first. This, in turn, creates happier, healthier, and more productive teams.
Related Article: The Importance of Wellbeing and Health in the Workplace
5 Strategies to Transform Workplace Culture
Now that you know how the workplace can affect mental health, it’s time to make adjustments to your culture and routines. Here are five strategies you can apply to better everyone’s experiences at work.
Related Article: 4 Ways to Create a Culture That Supports Call Center Agents’ Mental Health
1. Foster a Culture of Openness and Empathy
Here’s how to cultivate an environment of openness and empathy:
- Lead by Example: Encourage leaders to share their mental health experiences openly. This sets a positive tone and reduces stigma, making it easier for employees to discuss their own challenges.
- Comprehensive Training: Provide thorough mental health training for all staff, including managers. Equip them with the skills to communicate effectively and support colleagues in need.
- Designated Private Areas: Create private spaces within the call center for confidential conversations about mental health concerns. This allows employees to seek support without fear of judgment or intrusion.
- Employee Assistance Programs (EAPs): Implement robust EAPs and ensure easy access to mental health resources. These programs offer counseling and referral services, demonstrating your commitment to employee well-being.
By implementing these strategies, call centers can create a supportive culture where mental health is prioritized and employees feel valued and supported.
2. Prioritize Work-Life Balance and Stress Management
Maintaining work-life balance is essential for employee well-being. Here’s how:
- Flexible Scheduling: Allow your employees to work from home or adjust their hours to accommodate personal commitments.
- Generous Paid Time Off: Provide generous paid time off and encourage employees to use it for rest and recharge. This helps prevent burnout and allows employees to take breaks when needed.
- Forced Breaks: Encourage employees to step away from their desks and take short breaks to relax and recharge.
- Stress Relief Activities: Host stress relief activities like yoga, meditation, or team bonding events. These activities provide opportunities for relaxation and promote camaraderie among team members.
3. Promote Positive Workplace Relationships
Building strong workplace relationships promotes an inclusive, supportive environment. Encourage kindness through peer recognition and regular appreciation of contributions. Facilitate team-building activities to strengthen bonds and collaboration.
Managers should provide frequent positive feedback to boost morale. Swiftly address any toxic behaviors like harassment to maintain a respectful culture. Small acts of kindness make a big impact on well-being.
Promote recognizing each other’s efforts, exchanging friendly notes, grabbing meals together, and making introductions to grow networks.
Offer to assist colleagues on tasks, collaborate on projects, express gratitude often, give compliments, and celebrate team successes. These simple gestures cultivate connection.
Prioritizing positive relationships grounded in kindness creates an uplifting environment for call center employees. The little things reinforce you’re all working together as one team. A culture of appreciation and support allows people to thrive.
4. Invest in Holistic Well-Being Initiatives
This shows you care about your team’s health. Offer perks like gym memberships, healthy food options, and wellness apps to encourage physical activity and nutrition. Consider adding mental health benefits like counseling or meditation apps to support employees’ mental well-being.
Make mental health a priority by providing easy access to resources like on-site consultations or nearby clinics. Research shows employees with mental health benefits feel more supported and are less likely to leave.
Recognize and reward acts of kindness. If you see someone helping a colleague, thank them and maybe offer a break. Understanding their motivations helps you support positive behaviors and encourages more compassion.
Supporting holistic well-being fosters a happier, healthier workplace. Investing in physical, mental, and emotional support resources and showing gratitude demonstrates a genuine commitment to your team’s overall quality of life.
5. Gather Continuous Employee Feedback
Keep the conversation going! Regular pulse surveys should be conducted to check in on company culture and mental health support. Additionally, create channels for employees to share their concerns openly, whether it’s through suggestion boxes or virtual town halls.
Encourage managers to schedule regular 1-on-1 check-ins with their teams. These informal chats provide opportunities for employees to voice their thoughts and for managers to offer support. Transparency is key. Let employees know how their feedback is being used to drive change. Building trust through open communication strengthens your workplace culture.
And don’t stop there. After implementing changes, keep the dialogue alive. Regularly check in with your team to gather feedback on what’s working and what could be improved. Embrace the possibility of failure—it’s all part of the learning process.
Related Article: How to Provide Mental Health Support to Your Employees
Improve Culture to Improve Mental Well-Being
Enhancing your work culture with the participation of your employees may benefit everyone in your organization. Remember to communicate and receive feedback to know what is working.
Involve everyone in the conversation about mental health to know how everyone’s doing. Remember to educate each of your members, including your leaders as they will be the ones to lead people to better well-being.
DISCOVER HOW SALEM SOLUTIONS CAN ADD THE RIGHT PEOPLE TO YOUR CULTURE
Unlock the power of a positive company culture to boost employee mental health and well-being. Salem Solutions specializes in finding the perfect match for your culture, ensuring a supportive environment where your team can thrive Contact us today to discover how we can help you build a healthier, happier workplace.
References
1 Monteiro, E., & Joseph, J. (2023). A Review on the Impact of Workplace Culture on Employee Mental Health and Well-Being. International Journal of Case Studies in Business, IT, and Education (IJCSBE), 7(2), 291-317. DOI: https://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.7999328
2 Sun, Jianmin, et al. “How Does Organizational Culture Affect Employees’ Mental Health During COVID-19? The Mediating Role of Transparent Communication.” Work (Reading, Mass.), vol. 68, no. 4, 2021, pp. 1105-1117. PubMed, doi:10.3233/WOR-220365.