While concerns around workplace mental health predate the pandemic, COVID-19 has, without question, exacerbated the problem. Although most businesses recognize the importance of investing in mental health, few have put a formal strategy in place, creating a mental health action gap. Last week, with support from Sun Life, the Mississauga Board of Trade and Ontario Chamber of Commerce (OCC) released resources to help them close the gap:
Mental Wellness in the Workplace: A Playbook for Employers and A Playbook for SMEs. These resources provide employers of varying sizes with strategies and support to help bridge the gap – from fostering a health-focused culture to effectively communicating with employees to encouraging staff to access free government resources.
“According to the OCC’s 2021 Business Confidence Survey, 89 percent of employers believed spending on employee health and wellbeing was a good investment. Yet, only 53 percent said they had a formal strategy in place[1] – a situation the OCC refers to as the mental health action gap.
While these numbers have improved since the Chamber’s 2016 survey, the action gap remains,” said Trevor McPherson, President and CEO of the Mississauga Board of Trade. “We know that mental health can be a challenging topic for businesses, but employers play a critical role in the employee health equation.
We also know that inaction comes with a real cost.” Prior to COVID- 19, poor mental health in the workplace accounted for: – $50 billion in direct costs per year, including health care, social services, and income support like short- and long-term disability claims; – $6.3 billion in indirect costs from lost productivity; and – 500,000 Canadians missing work each week due to mental health issues or illnesses.
“Many employers are looking for practical steps they can take and resources they can easily leverage to develop psychologically healthy and safe workplaces. We’re pleased to release these tools during Mental Health Awareness Month in partnership with Sun Life to help businesses address this action gap,” added Rocco Rossi, President and CEO of the OCC. To support employees’ mental health, the Playbook for Employers encourages businesses to focus on five key areas: – Develop a mental health strategy.
This strategy should be linked to an organization’s equity, diversity, and inclusion plans and include performance measures to monitor progress. – Build a psychologically healthy and safe workplace culture.
Training and employee engagement can create a positive workplace culture. – Communicate widely and regularly. Continuous, two-way communication between leaders and employees is key to destigmatizing mental health and encouraging employees to access supports. – Ensure adequate resources for employees and their families.
Supports should be varied, visible, and accessible – both in-person and virtually. – Prepare for hybrid work (if applicable). Consider what steps need to be taken in the long run for a hybrid work environment. Hybrid or flexible work environments can benefit employee mental wellness, but it is important to equip leaders and employees with the resources needed to thrive in this new way of working.
“Creating mentally healthy workplaces is critical to Canada’s long-term recovery,” said Jacques Goulet, President, Sun Life Canada. “Businesses have an opportunity to reimagine their roles – including how they support employees’ physical and mental wellness and improve company culture going forward. This Playbook for Employers serves to empower businesses and build a healthier, more resilient Canada.”
