Businesses that care about good mental health and wellbeing attract and retain top talent because they’re great places to work, as well as benefiting employees, a mentally healthy workplace is better for your bottom line.
Healthy workplaces promote mental health and wellbeing. They are positive and productive and get the best out of everyone. While the places we work come in all shapes and sizes, mentally healthy working environments have a number of things in common.
Beyond Blue’s 10 signs of a mentally healthy workplace
1 Mental health is a priority
Mental health is understood and openly discussed by all levels of the organisation.
2 Mental health support is available
Work colleagues and managers are supportive and responsive to employees’ mental health needs.
3 Trusting, fair, respectful culture
Employees at all levels interact with honesty and respect and this extends to customers, clients and the public.
4 Open and honest leadership
Leaders give employees a sense of shared purpose in achieving the goals of the organisation.
5 Good job design
Employees are equipped emotionally and adequately skilled for the job they do and have appropriate working arrangements.
6 Workload management is addressed
Tasks can be accomplished successfully within the time available.
7 Employee development and recognition
Employees are encouraged, acknowledged and rewarded.
8 Employee inclusion and influence
Employees have control of the way they work and influence important decisions.
9 Physical safety is a given
Employees can carry out their work safely including being free from violence from customers and the public.
10 Work and life balance is acknowledged
The need for balance between the demands of work, family and personal life are recognised.