WORLD CORPORATE HEALTH DAY

Today is April 4 on the National Day Calendar and we are using World Corporate Health Day to bring attention to mental and physical health of employees. We are encouraging employees and employers to work together to stay healthy and promote healthy work environments.

#WORLDCORPORATEHEALTHDAY

Everyone seems to get the winter blues. After the long winter months of cold, dark, and grey weather, it seems so many people fall into a funk. It is no surprise during the number of depression episodes and other mental health issues increase for employees. We can all use World Corporate Health Day on April 4 to bring awareness and offer support to both employees and employers as they navigate towards a brighter day. Let's work together to make mental health issues manageable and less debilitating.

The importance of mental health cannot be stressed enough. However, few employees seek help due to the stigma attached to mental health issues. Many people feel the need to function at work so they keep their struggles secret. Oftentimes, people also feel shame for talking about their problems. Every symptom leaves a mark on employees and their place of employment. Concentration, performance, and work ethic decline drastically, resulting in extended absenteeism. Eventually, companies will notice the change in an employee's inability to work to their full potential.

Managing Employee Difficulties

Employers have an obligation to learn about workplace depression and other issues employees deal with while at work. In fact, it is the responsibility of the employer to ensure all employees have access to services to help them through difficulties they face. When an employer offers professional services to employees and their families, it leaves the impression the employer cares. Employers should always remember a healthy and balanced employee contributes to company productively, resulting in a positive corporate atmosphere.

As we present World Corporate Health Day, we are presenting an opportunity for employers to become more involved in the wellbeing of their employees on April 4 and every day thereafter. In fact, providing resources to employees is a great way to help employees overcome any mental or physical setback. As we celebrate today's National Day, we are offering tips for employers to help with their employees.

Success Together As A Team

Employee well-being at work does not come solely from breaks, relaxation, or good pay. It also comes from the sense of doing a good job and accomplishing a task. In fact, it's one of the most important sustaining factor to achieve long-term performance.

Fostering team success and a good working environment promotes physical and mental health. Oftentimes, when asking employees for specific situations they experience at work, 90% will respond with successfully completing a task with cooperation and support from other colleagues.

"A Problem Shared is a Problem Halved"

An Employee Assistance Program (EAP) is a work-place program to assist employees with resolving personal and professional problems. Employees and their families can use expert help for any kind of life issue, such as low mood, anxiety or just overload. This program is a free service to employees and their families. The program provides a professional assessment and short-term counseling. Many EAPs also offer referrals to additional services often covered by personal health insurance.

Exercise Help

Corporate Wellness Programs for employees to utilize and participate in help minimize stress, plus promote healthy lifestyles. Providing healthy snacks, fitness contests, and taking office walks in groups all contribute to a healthy lifestyle. In fact, many studies prove that healthy choices benefit a persons overall health. Regular exercise will keep employees physically and mentally resilient. People who manage to exercise on a regular basis increase their health, well-being and happiness.

Social Gatherings

Offering alternatives for social interaction between employees is a great way to promote better communication and relationships. Even though coworkers spend a lot of time together, most do not interact other than in the office. Having a monthly gathering, small or big, for teams gives employees and employers the chance to get to know each other. This opens communication and makes employees feel appreciated and valued.

Focus, Work and Create Meaning

Experiencing health and happiness at work helps employees find a purpose at work on a daily basis. It keeps you motivated to navigate, even through stressful times. When employees are healthy and happy, it brings success to everyone.

Quiet Space

Stress is unavoidable in the workplace, but it can be alleviated with a few simple ways. One way to do this is to allow employees to take breaks when they need them. This small step makes a huge difference in productivity. Oftentimes, an employee only needs 10 minutes to decompress and refocus. Unfortunately, that can be a tough task sitting in a cubical. Employers can provide a quiet room for employees to go to when they are feeling overwhelmed or frustrated. Whether the room is filled with soft couches and dim lighting or a plain table and chairs with reading material, employees will have a temporary escape until they are ready to return to the grind.

Anxiety, Depression and Burnout

Employees are incredibly resilient. Most cope with high workload, frequent changes, or personal issues easily. Nevertheless, depression is on the rise and is sometimes called the “plague of our times”. Often undiscovered, affected employees frequently manage to hide their low moods and feelings for astonishingly long periods of times. Despite all the talk about burnout, employers should remember depression and anxiety are far more frequently found in the workplace. We can do something about it by informing, making help and support accessible, and helping each other!

Share how you are making a difference to your employees on World Corporate Health Day by using #WorldCorporateHealthDay on social media.