With up to 50% of workers claiming that occupational stress leads to absenteeism, and 41% saying it causes poor work performance, employers are beginning to recognise the need for a workplace which is mentally as well as physically healthy, and goes beyond the basic OH&S requirements.

Some of Australia’s most prominent companies are now creating roles within their workforce specifically to address this. For example, Lion Nathan a ‘Health and Wellbeing Coordinator’, and Ernst & Young a ‘National Health and Wellbeing Manager’.

The Mental Health Association NSW, which is funded by NSW Health, has formed this Workplace Health Promotion Network in response to the growing interest in this area, seeking to support the professional development of this workforce. The goal is to nurture this important trend and help employers promote health in the workplace.

Corporate executives from major Australian organisations are now attending quarterly meetings to meet each other, share information and resources and hear from top calibre speakers such as Marilyn Wise, Executive Director of the Australian Centre for Health Promotion, Dr Timothy Sharp (aka Dr Happy from the Happiness Institute) and Dr John Lang of Good Health Solutions.

According to Gillian Church, CEO, Mental Health Association NSW, Australians are working longer hours than ever before. “In order to maintain our mental health and wellbeing, as well as our physical health, we need to have a healthy workplace,” she said. “Smart employers are catching on to the wide range of benefits, not to mention the sound business sense, of supporting their staff’s health.”

“A mentally healthy workplace is one in which employees feel a sense of security, support and accomplishment with their work, and within their place of work. Mentally healthy workplaces experience high rates of employee retention and satisfaction and low rates of absence due to sickness and stress. Such workplaces also provide a secure environment for employees to express their needs and concerns without the fear of reprisal or disapproval, and all levels of employees are provided with support through training, mentorship and positive feedback.”

Avant Card Australia, Ernst & Young and Swiss Re are good examples of organisations lauded for their reputations as mentally healthy workplaces. They all experience high employee retention rates and reported job satisfaction.

Avant Card National Sales Manager, Sondra Ekambi attributes Avant Card’s ethical philosophy of conduct with clients and the community as a reason for their high level of employee job satisfaction. “This enables us as employees to have a sense of pride in the work we do and a healthy respect for the company we work for. In addition, all staff are asked to contribute ideas to the company structure and we each have the opportunity to give back to the community through sponsorship programs”. Avant Card also provides employees with background music in the workspace, monthly massages, yearly bonuses and birthday lunches and gifts.

If you are in intersted in learning more or in participating in these network meetings, please contact us.

 

Excerpt from a Mental Health Assocation NSW media release. To read more about the structure of these meetings, click here.

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