Are you proud to be employers of the most fatigued employees in the world?
It is a crown we are currently wearing, living up to our name as a quintessentially kiasu nation. At least, according to UK bedding manufacturer Sleepseeker. Singapore also comes in second for most hours worked per year at 2,238 hours, second only to Mexico.
The numbers are concerning, even more so when taking into account the long-drawn pandemic that has left us in a state of uncertainty for nearly two years and has only added to the stressors faced by everyday Singaporeans.
Payroll software firm Employment Hero found in a survey they conducted that Singaporean workers are the most unhappy among five markets (Singapore, UK, Malaysia, New Zealand, and Australia), with 70% of employees feeling stressed about the pandemic.
And stress is not to be underestimated. Dubbed the “global epidemic of the 21st century” by the United Nations’ International Labour Organisation, it can have debilitating effects on an individual’s physical and mental health.
In Singapore, stress-related illnesses represent nearly 20% of total health expenditure, at US$2.3 billion. Work-related stress that is not addressed can eventually lead to burnout, an occupational phenomenon recognised by the World Health Organisation that can reduce professional efficacy and cause feelings of discontent in workers.
The above underscore the need for mental wellness in the workplace. Beyond ensuring the wellbeing of your employees, taking the time and effort to invest in mental wellness can also have long-term benefits for your business, such as improved company profit, employee retention, and turnover rates.
To do so, it is important to cultivate a culture of care within your workplace, while implementing company-wide policies and initiatives that protect the mental wellness of employees.
Cultivate a Culture of Care
Pre-pandemic, recruitment agency Charterhouse cultivated a family-like culture through regular get-togethers in the form of casual team lunches, staff outings and festive parties. While remote work arrangements may render physical get-togethers impossible, a culture of care can still be cultivated through frequent check-ins with employees on their well-being, Zoom gatherings, or sending care packs to staff who are working from home.
In a bid to keep employees connected during the pandemic, SingPost sought Epic Dialogue’s service to launch an internal campaign titled Connecting All. The campaign utilised technology to bridge the physical distance, and saw SingPost staff sharing their best workplace memories through SingPost’s SPhere App to forge a connection.
Open communication is important as well. Says Patricia Tan, Senior Vice President of Sales & Marketing and Digital & Technology Division (SEA + China) at Charterhouse, “Active listening and open communication with my team is key. It creates a transparent and safe work environment and allows every team member to be comfortable being their authentic self in the workplace.”
Workplace Policies and Initiatives to Promote Mental Wellness
Besides workplace culture, tangible measures also need to be in place.
Taking a leaf out of tried and tested playbooks, we can learn from Jardines MINDSET, a charity focusing on supporting mental health. In May this year, the charity was recognised for exemplary efforts to promote mental health at work by mental health non-profit Silver Ribbon. Their initiatives include a 24-hour anonymous counselling service, and having managers and HR personnel trained in “mental health first-aid”.
For organisations looking to implement such programmes, an option would be to sign up for the Employee Assistance Programme, supported by the Ministry of Manpower.
Mental Resilience Workshops and Recreational Activities
Another way to promote mental wellness in the workplace is through workshops, such as the Mindful Art workshop organised for the Ministry of Education by Epic Dialogue. The 90-minute session saw team members coming together to create their very own tote bag, allowing staff to bond through the appreciation of one another’s individuality. In the guided facilitation and sharing session, staff members also become more aware of their own strengths and get to enjoy the therapeutic benefits of creative expression.
Such recreational activities are a great way to allow staff members to bond, while providing them the opportunity to rest, relax, and recharge. Leaving the heavy lifting to Epic Dialogue, give your staff the chance to let loose while picking up a new skill at BERNINA’s free-motion embroidery workshops or InOut Atelier’s moss installation workshops.
InOut Atelier’s mosstallation workshops aim to bring about biophilic qualities in your indoor space that increase productivity, enhance well-being and social relationships, and ease stress levels
No matter what initiatives are in place, successfully creating a pro-mental wellness environment begins with sincere intentions that can be felt by your team. This means clear communication about pro-mental health policies, in order to successfully create an open and accepting environment where employees feel comfortable seeking help if they require it.
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Epic Dialogue is here to bridge the gap between employers and employees. If you need help creating and communicating your mental wellness initiatives, reach out to us at hello@epic-dialogue.com.
