Importance of talking about mental health in the workplace

Law360 Canada (January 24, 2024, 2:02 PM EST) --

Michelle Ann Zoleta

With one in five Canadians facing mental health problems or illness each year, it makes it even more important for employers to prioritize a supportive work environment. Employers will certainly feel the effects of this on their business in multiple ways, such as an increase in workplace accidents and absenteeism as well as decreased productivity.

Bell Let’s Talk Day, on January 24, is a day dedicated to building awareness around the stigma around mental health, making it a great time to implement company-wide intitatives. Recognizing the crucial connection between staff well-being and organizational success underscores the importance of employers actively supporting their staff to create a workplace where employees feel valued and supported.

According to a report by the Centre for Addiction and Mental Health, at least 500,000 Canadians miss work due to mental illness. The financial impact of mental illness is approximately $51 billion each year, $6.3 billion resulting from lost productivity. Additionally, there are other indirect costs, such as challenges in retention and recruitment as well as absenteeism.

To get more employees comfortable talking about mental health, employers should establish an open, non-judgemental environment for staff. It’s important to create a workplace that normalizes conversations surrounding mental health so they can seek help or be aware of the resources available.

Another approach that can significantly reduce stress is reminding staff to maintain a healthy work-life balance. Staff who are overworked are at a higher risk of burnout, which can lead to low productivity and viewing their work and workplace negatively. Additionally, overworked employees are more susceptible to workplace accidents due to comprised focus and disconnection from safety protocols.

To ensure all staff are made aware of mental health resources and protocols, implementing a mental health policy is highly recommended. It will ensure all staff not only have access to resources but outlines the procedures for both employees and managers when addressing mental health issues. This policy should establish protocols for handling mental health disclosures and accommodation requests.

By adopting these measures, employers can create a workplace environment that not only supports the mental well-being of their employees but also contributes to a positive organizational culture.

Michelle Ann Zoleta is health and safety advice manager at Peninsula Canada.

The opinions expressed are those of the author(s) and do not necessarily reflect the views of the author’s firm, its clients, Law360 Canada, LexisNexis Canada, or any of its or their respective affiliates. This article is for general information purposes and is not intended to be and should not be taken as legal advice.  

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