Why Filipino Companies Should Encourage Employees to ‘Speak Up’
A company that fosters and protects the mental health of employees will provide a workplace that is conducive to productivity. Mental health plays an important role in society, including workplaces.
Throughout the years, employers are slowly learning why mental health advocacies are equally important in the workplace. Protecting the mental well-being of the employees can provide new ways for them to work more efficiently, which will also provide a good profit for the company.
During the coronavirus pandemic, many businesses and companies turned for the worse. The sudden change in the work environment has made some employees feel distressed and overwhelmed. Companies should encourage their employees to speak up and voice out their feelings and thoughts. Why is awareness of mental health crucial?
Mental Health Numbers
Mental health has become a burdensome health concern across the globe. The World Health Organization (WHO) reports that depression is a common mental health disorder, affecting about 264 million people. It is also considered the number one cause of disability across the globe, and a major contributor to the overall global burden of disease.
In the United States, nearly 1 in 5 adults who are more than 18 years old, have reported mental illness in 2016, which is equivalent to 44.7 million people. Further, about 63 percent of Americans are part of the U.S. labor force and the workplace can be an important venue for activities that can improve and promote well-being among employees, including those that tackle mental health issues in the workplace.
In the Philippines, mental health issues are becoming key topics, particularly anxiety and depression. Reports say that 1 in 5 Filipino adults suffer from a form of mental illness. Mental health Philippines law has been enacted, and it also includes promoting mental health in the workplace.
Why Speak Up?
Employees should combat depression and loneliness, which can greatly impact their jobs, in many ways. At work, they should speak up about irregularities and stressful work policies that affect their productivity. Employers need to know the mental health status of their employees.
For companies to become mental health aware, they need to listen to the concerns of their constituents, including the problems they encounter at work. With a proper forum to discuss these issues, employees are helping everyone to release tension and anger, promoting good well-being.
All these actions are a win-win situation for the company. They will have more productive employees and at the same time, the financial burden of absenteeism or fast employee turnover will be reduced.
