Bell Let’sTalk – Addressing the challenges of Mental Health at work

Introduction:

January 26th once again mark’s the annual tradition of  Bell Let’s Talk – an initiative designed to create discussion around the challenges of mental health in Canada.  I thought it was important to tackle this topic by sharing one of the most simple and powerful but often neglected strategy to overcome mental health challenges at work:  Taking Time Away.  However, before we can dive into this topic, we must first understand why taking time away from work is so critical.  The fact is the mental health crisis at works stems from too many employees being burntout on the job. 

Burnout: The biggest workplace mental health challenge

Even after the height of the pandemic, employees continue to work long hours with blurred lines of their professional and personal lives.  In a recent survey, it was noted that 84% of Canadians have felt burned out pushing 20% of these individuals to seek new oppportunities.  However, this issue seems to be more widespread.  In a recent article by Gallup, it was identified that 74% of employees have experienced burnout.  

As per Gallup, employees who say they very often or always experience burnout at work are:

63% more likely to take a sick day

½ as likely to discuss how to approach performance goals with their manager

23% more likely to visit the emergency room

2.6x as likely to be actively seeking a different job

Read: Want to be happier?

The Burnout Epidemic:

The concern over the impact of burnout pushed the World Health Organization to make it an official medical diagnosis with the following criteria:

1. feelings of energy depletion or exhaustion
2. increased mental distance from one’s job, or feelings of negativism or cynicism related to one’s job
3. reduced professional efficacy

 

A quick and simple Solution:  Take Time Away

As per a recent article, only 27% of Canadians planned on taking all of their allocated vacation days, but yet, research in the Journal of Occupational Health concluded that after taking a vacation, most employees report feeling less tired and are more energetic.  

According to research in the Journal of Applied Psychology employees who are offered and take all of their paid vacations are more engaged, creative and productive than those who do not.  

In another study involving 3380 working adults, those who took an additional 10 paid vacation days experienced a 29 per cent drop in reported depression overall.  

Based on the above studies, taking time off helps employees increase their level of happiness, engagement and productivity.  These benefits directly benefit employers who can see a direct increase to their bottomline.  So, if the benefits are so widespread, why is there a reluctance to take time off?

• Employees feel taking time off will negatively impact their manager’s perception of them, thereby reducing chances for a promotion or a raise.  
• According to research conducted by Project Time Off:  people who take all of their vacation time have a 6.5 per cent higher chance of getting a promotion or a raise than people who leave 11 or more days of paid time off on the table.
• Employees feel they have too much work to do:
• According to research by the US Travel Association, one of the top two benefits of taking time off is in fact increase in productivity.  Therefore, taking time off to recharge your battery will in fact allow you to get your work done faster by being more productive.  

Next Steps:

Too many of us are not taking the time to properly organize our planned time off and the others who do have planned time off, either cancel their plans or work while they are away.  Its time to re-evaluate on how we approach time off:

• Employers need to take full advantage of the enormous benefits taking time off has for both employees and the organization.  Take the next step in shifting the organizational culture by mandating everyone use all of their time off.  

• Managers in their disucssions with employees on peformance, should review how much time they are taking.  This will help keep it top of mind for everyone.

• Ensure employees do not work on vacations so that they take the gift of time to truly recharge.  Working on vacation increases stress and reduces the beneifts of taking time off.

• Research indicates that for a vacation to bring about the highest level of happiness and energy, its important to implement the following strategies:
• Plan a month in advance and prepare your coworkers for your time away.
• Go outside your city even it’s a staycation.
• Ensure all travel details are set before departing.

As per Shawn Achor ….”next time you find yourself guilty about taking a vacation – thinking it will be perceived as a lack of commitment, or that you just have too much work to do – remind yourself that scientifically, taking paid time off improves your productivity and performance, speeds up your career advancement and if approached correctly, makes you happier.”

Conclusion:  

Anxiety, stress, depression and other mental health issues take a toll on too many of us, and those we love.  Based on the above, research clearly shows that the right strategy and support, can ease the burden and lead to better days.

If we can help in addressing your workplace stress or increasing your level of employee engagement, please don’t hesitate in reaching out.  

Be well,

Moe.

If you did find this helpful, I would be appreciative if you could share this with your friends and family.  Together, we can increase our personal well-being and continue to get better!

Read: Focus on Meaning!

My best to you and your loved ones!

Until next time,

Be well,

Coach Mumdoo

604-861-4288

[email protected]

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The most critical factor in seizing this opportunity is your well-being.

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