How to support the mental health of the team / Photo Škoda
An effective team is formed not only through professionalism and high-quality task performance. It is worth remembering about emotional stability, trust, and a healthy atmosphere in the team.
Mental health is important for business, as it is one of the components on which the sustainability of the company depends, including staff turnover. Supporting this important component is possible through organizational changes that will help improve working conditions, writes WHO.
Business 24, together with Škoda, tells how to maintain the mental health of the team and why it is important.
What are the potential risks to psychological health in business?
Inefficient organization of work processes can significantly worsen the emotional state of employees. Therefore, WHO has identified 10 categories of risks that are directly related to the workplace:
- a sense of futility of work and unrealized professional potential;
- significant workload and constant deadlines;
- inconvenient working hours: night shifts, long working days, etc.;
- lack of control over the employee's work process;
- unsatisfactory working conditions: limited space, poor lighting, noise or unsuitable equipment;
- underdeveloped corporate culture: insufficient support from management, low qualifications, high competition for limited resources, excessive bureaucracy;
- tense relationships in the team: conflicts, microaggressions, bullying;
- unclear roles in the organization and blurred responsibilities;
- lack of career development and low pay;
- disruption of the balance between personal life and work.
Caring for people reduces burnout / photo Pexels
Such factors affect an employee's well-being and can exacerbate or even trigger mental health problems. Therefore, it is important for managers to be attentive to changes in employee behavior and respond in a timely manner.
How can a leader support a team?
The regression of mental health becomes more noticeable when experiences reach their peak, and it becomes increasingly difficult to ignore emotional outbursts or deep apathy of employees, writes robota.ua. In such a case, they advise taking certain measures. In particular:
1. start with an open dialogue, show care and empathy
It is worth creating an environment in which it is normal to talk about emotions. It is important for everyone to know that their emotions matter and that problems are not ignored.
2. It is worth checking the status of the team
Anonymous surveys on stress levels, job satisfaction, and work-life balance will help managers identify weaknesses in a timely manner.
3. Avoid conventions
Don't assume that an employee can't complete work tasks. It's better to agree on deadlines that are comfortable for both parties and try to discuss new tasks in advance.
4. Team support is a daily practice
Simple words of gratitude or a sincere question, “How are you feeling?” can have a much greater impact than you might think.
What else can a manager do:
- don't ignore the “silent signals” of burnout;
- show by your own example that talking about feelings is not a sign of weakness;
- to provide a real possibility of “reloading” – from additional output to temporary load reduction;
- implement flexible working conditions – adaptive schedules or the ability to work remotely;
- Train managers to recognize mental health issues – equip them with the knowledge to spot early signs of stress or mental health issues and respond accordingly.
A healthy microclimate reduces conflicts in the team / photo Pexels
What else can help build a business?
In addition to caring about the psychological state of employees within the team, it is important to pay attention to external factors that affect stress levels and work efficiency on a daily basis. One of them is mobility.
For many employees, the road is an integral part of the working day, and therefore its comfort and safety have a direct impact on mental well-being. The Škoda Karoq combines everything that helps reduce stress on the road and maintain concentration.
- Travel comfort = less stress
Ergonomic seats, thoughtful interior space, and comfortable seating help reduce physical fatigue during trips and maintain emotional balance.
- Feeling of security and control
Modern driver assistance systems reduce stress on the road, which has a positive effect on concentration, confidence and overall well-being.
- Flexibility for a dynamic business
The Škoda Karoq easily adapts to different work scenarios – from daily city commutes to business trips, supporting a work-life balance.
- Thoughtful space
A spacious trunk and functional solutions allow you to conveniently organize work items without creating chaos, which subconsciously increases stress levels.
Škoda Karoq is a choice of a comfortable and safe car that shows the business's care for people, strengthens the trust and loyalty of the team.