Is Your Business Addressing Employee Mental Health Issues?

Did you know that May is National Mental Health Awareness Month? Each May, businesses, government organizations, nonprofits, and individuals work to reduce the stigma regarding mental illness and spread awareness of mental health resources.  

With inflation, food shortages, lingering concerns about COVID-19, and countless other stressors, many people are experiencing mental health concerns. If you are a business owner or business leader, it is important to consider how your company is addressing employee mental health issues.

Mental Illnesses Are on the Rise

Researchers at Boston College report that six times as many people suffered from anxiety and depression in 2020 than in 2019, and experts expect this trend to continue. Millions of working adults suffer from diagnosed and undiagnosed depression, anxiety, post-traumatic stress disorder, bipolar, and other mental illnesses.

As an employer, it is important to be aware of these statistics. Ask yourself, “Does my company have policies that prioritize employee health and wellbeing? Do I have a plan in place for when employees cannot perform job duties or need a break due to mental health issues? How can I balance profitability with my employees’ needs?”

Strong Employee Policies Benefit the Employer and the Employees

As an employer, it can be hard to reconcile the need for productivity and business growth with increasingly prevalent employee mental health concerns. There is no one-size-fits-all solution to these issues. Some employers have offered additional paid-time-off days, work-from-home opportunities, or flexible work schedules. Others offer free or reduced-price counseling sessions.

For many companies, one of the best ways to promote mental wellbeing is to improve the company culture. Many businesses are plagued by high turnover, chronic absenteeism, and employee burnout. Have you thought about how your company culture affects employees’ mental health and productivity? Are there ways you could address staffing issues while simultaneously promoting good employee morale?

Strong employee policies can help address these issues in a way that benefits both the employees and the employer. Well-written employee policies and procedures are also a crucial step in reducing the risk of lawsuits and other adverse legal actions.

Luckily, employers do not need to figure out everything on their own. For small and mid-sized companies, full-time legal counsel may be impractical. However, an outsourced general counsel may be the perfect fit. Having an outsourced general counsel can help employers stay ahead of the curve when it comes to employee issues and other legal matters. 

An experienced outsourced general counsel can provide invaluable legal advice, help you take proactive steps to prevent problems before they arise, and ensure that your company is protected should you encounter any legal problems in the future.  

Contact a Naperville Outsourced General Counsel Lawyer for Small and Medium Businesses

At the Gierach Law Firm, our Naperville business law attorneys understand the immense challenges currently faced by employers. We offer an outsourced general counsel program called YourOGC that offers dependable, efficient, high-quality legal counsel to business owners and business leaders. We can provide legal guidance and support regarding employee policies, business contracts, tax planning, and much more. Call 630-756-1160 for a consultation.

Sources:

Harvard Business Review

National Association for Mental Illness

Boston College