Work-related stress that affects employees’ mental health is increasing, as the average individual spends about 90,000 hours at work, equivalent to a third of his life. Statistics indicate that more than 10 percent of workers are absent from work due to anxiety and depression, which reflects the impact of the work environment on psychological well-being.
A report by the World Economic Forum, viewed by the “Eqtisad Sky News Arabia” website, shows that work challenges, such as unrealistic expectations, health problems, and high costs of living, all contribute to increasing psychological stress.
In past years, mental health was considered a private issue within organizations.
But since the World Health Organization’s call in 2001 to improve environments that affect mental health, there has been a noticeable change in how companies deal with this issue, especially after the Covid-19 pandemic, which has increased awareness of the importance of mental health in the workplace.
- The consequences of returning to work after collective traumas, such as the COVID-19 pandemic, show that employee absences and quiet resignations can have negative mental health consequences, carrying operational and financial costs for employers.
- Research predicts that Generation Z will stand out in this context, as they are more vocal about their mental health concerns and look to employers for support in this area.
- In economic terms, it is estimated that 12 billion working days are lost annually globally due to depression and anxiety, costing the economy up to $1 trillion in productivity losses.
- Research also indicates that companies that manage their employees’ health well perform 2.5 times better than companies that suffer from poor management in this area.
Improvement strategies
To promote mental health, the report notes the importance of involving leadership in mental health initiatives, as organizational culture stems from the top. Managers should be empowered to protect employees’ mental health through appropriate training and resources.
A healthy environment requires more than just providing individual resources for stress management, but rather a culture that supports sharing concerns and encourages open interaction among employees.
It is also essential to support social connections in the workplace, with “work friends” playing an important role in providing support outside the traditional hierarchy. Employees must ensure alignment with the organization’s mission, as feeling in control at work is directly linked to their empowerment and good mental health.
Furthermore, professional growth should be viewed as part of promoting wellness. The absence of a clear career path may negatively impact employees’ mental health.
Therefore, friendly discussions between managers and employees are of great importance in improving relationships and enhancing the balance of power within the workplace.
The workplace can be a productive environment for supporting mental health. Dr Aisha Malik, a mental health specialist at the World Health Organization, provides insights into how decent work contributes to improving mental health by providing a sense of confidence and achievement. With about 60 percent of the population in work, we have a huge opportunity to address mental health comprehensively.
Efforts to promote mental health at work should be considered a vital investment by employers, as these initiatives can transform the workplace into a supportive and conducive environment, enhancing overall well-being and achieving positive long-term outcomes.
Fundamental factors
In exclusive statements to the “Eqtisad Sky News Arabia” website, the director of the Roya Center for Economic Studies, Bilal Shuaib, said that improvement Productivity in the work environment It requires attention to a number of issues and sectors to enhance production rates and create a strong business environment.
He pointed out that:
- Education represents one of the most important factors in increasing production, as the relationship between it and productivity is strong. By raising the educational level and attracting scientific competencies, productivity rates can be improved and the necessary resources available for this.
- The human element, as the most important economic resource, must receive attention. In countries such as Europe, we have noticed problems in the availability of skilled labor, which has led to the import of labor from abroad. Therefore, working to develop labor skills on a regular basis is necessary to double productivity and increase returns on investment.
Shuaib also stressed the importance of updating machinery and equipment periodically, as leaving the work environment containing obsolete machines reduces productivity rates and creates an uninviting environment.
As for the sectors that support raising productivity, he pointed out the need to focus on areas such as artificial intelligence and digital transformation, because of their ability to speed up work and facilitate procedures, which reduces aspects of bureaucracy. Attention must also be paid to the various software fields and industries, as they represent supportive aspects for improving productivity through the application of the latest systems and software.
Finally, Shuaib addressed the energy issue, stressing the importance of searching for environmentally friendly alternatives, especially in light of the climate changes that countries are facing and the scarcity of energy resources.
With these statements, Shuaib highlights the importance of integration between education, developing the human element, modernizing equipment, and investing in modern sectors to ensure achieving higher levels of productivity.
Internal work environment
In her conversation with the “Eqtisad Sky News Arabia” website, economic expert Hanan Ramses discussed several aspects that support improving productivity in the internal work environment, starting with the leadership component.
She explained that leadership must have a set of standards to ensure improvement of the work environment and general climate, the most important of which is fairness in transactions among all employees, which contributes to enhancing trust and respect. She also pointed out the need for flexibility in dealing, which creates a flexible work environment that encourages increased productivity.
She also stressed the importance of creating a spirit of cooperation among employees, achieving transparency and exchanging opinions and information, as these elements contribute to creating a healthy and comfortable work environment. She noted that providing a convergence of viewpoints also helps improve interaction between employees.
Ramses pointed out the necessity of launching motivational initiatives such as the “ideal employee” to enhance the spirit of competition among employees, along with the necessity of having a rewards system to stimulate performance without causing controversy. She also stressed the importance of clearly defining responsibilities and duties.
In conclusion, Ramses discussed the importance of holding events and events among employees to strengthen social ties and eliminate barriers between different teams, which helps build a positive climate and a strong spirit of cooperation in the work environment.
