Listen Up

I woke up at 4:45 am. My routine seemed normal, however, rather than prepping my computer space for remote operation, I dressed in relaxed attire paired with sparkling sneakers to walk the hallways of JN Ervin Elementary School. One thing I knew for sure, I’d get my 10,000 steps without a doubt.

Human connection makes work life more enjoyable and less chaotic. Employees with meaningful relationships find greater satisfaction and productivity in the workplace. It’s nice to have connections that support professional growth and development whether it comes from a manager, team leader, or coworker. When employers invest in workplace connections, they support their employees in personal and professional advancement.

Personal workplace routines help to keep the rhythm of the day and create predictable scenarios that keep schedules in line, even after unexpected interruptions. These benefits don’t have to be enjoyed on a solely individual basis, however.

Leading by example is a powerful tool for demonstrating the values that a company upholds. When leadership prioritizes their own mental health goals, employees feel empowered to follow suit, and this can cultivate a healthy working environment in and of itself. Being the leader a team needs in times of uncertainty is a heavy responsibility, but the benefits provide clear and open communication channels about struggles employees are experiencing in their workplace, as well as mitigating uncomfortable feelings of stigma and othering.

Over the years, my conversations with corporate leaders, managers, and anyone who leads people often ends with a similar conclusion, “Dr. Jada, we have the same mental health challenges as our employees!” And herein lies an interesting dichotomy for many employers who are tasked with leading their teams while silently managing their own personal workplace stressors.

When navigating mental wellness during times of uncertainty, especially related to finances, it can be beneficial for individuals to know that they are not struggling alone. Isolation can begin to color someone’s experiences when they feel that their worry is looming over them, but having someone to talk to and process with can mitigate the feelings of being alone and help to alleviate their negative perspective into something productive.

As an employer, it benefits a business as a whole to remain mindful of the impact stress can have when an employee is navigating financial challenges. In a survey conducted by Metlife, they found that "69% of employees say they worry about financial stress at work multiple times a week. 44% say they worry about money every single day.

Financial stress tops the list for employers looking to support their employees’ emotional wellbeing. “In fact, there has been an 11% increase in employee financial stress since 2021, according to BrightPlan’s 2022 Wellness Barometer Survey on the state of employee well-being.”

Organizations in the current marketplace are finding that thriving means investing. Investing in your organization isn’t a new concept, but the placement of investments have shifted. Historically the focus was on tangible work results and the physical environment of the workplace. While this is important, there are new factors that are reshaping how organizations are equipping themselves to succeed. The key is employee success.

Anxious feelings arising at work are nothing out of the ordinary. Impending deadlines, busy schedules and multiplying communication threads all cause a sense of urgency that, while not necessarily comfortable, can be disconnected from when the working day is done. Stress, however, is a different element entirely.