As the 15th-21st May is Mental Health Awareness week in the UK, this month I chose to focus on looking at some of the ideas for how leadership can nurture employee mental health, in order to create a thriving work culture and environment.
In today’s fast-paced and demanding work environments, prioritising employee mental health is paramount. As leaders, it is essential to recognise the profound impact your actions and decisions have on the well-being of those you lead. Fostering a culture that values and supports mental health is not only a moral imperative but also a strategic advantage.
Lead by Example: Leadership sets the tone for the entire organisation. When leaders prioritise their mental health and well-being, it sends a powerful message to employees. By openly discussing their own struggles and taking steps to maintain work-life balance, leaders encourage employees to do the same. At Morgan Latif our Senior Leadership Team believes this authenticity fosters a culture of openness, trust, and vulnerability, where mental health is not stigmatised but instead seen as a natural part of human experience.
Promote Work-Life Balance: Long hours, high expectations, and constant connectivity can lead to burnout and chronic stress. As leaders, it is crucial to promote a healthy work-life balance by encouraging employees to take breaks, use annual leave, and disconnect from work outside of working hours. Emphasising the importance of self-care and providing flexible work arrangements when feasible, can contribute to employee well-being and overall job satisfaction. At Morgan Latif, unlimited annual leave is one of our staff benefits as we believe that it is important for our employees to take as much time off as they need in order to return and perform well in their roles.
Establish Supportive Policies and Resources: Leadership should work in collaboration with human resources departments to develop and implement policies that support employee mental health. This can include access to counselling services, mental health days, and resources for stress management and resilience-building. By investing in employee well-being, organisations not only improve job satisfaction and productivity but also reduce absenteeism and turnover rates. At Morgan Latif we advocate this through the introduction of mental health leave, mindfulness sessions and mental health workshops, and much more to support our employees.
As an aspiring leader myself, surrounded by leadership techniques that I admire, I believe we have a responsibility to prioritise and promote employee mental health. By leading by example, promoting work life balance and implementing supportive policies we create an environment where employees feel safe, supported, and empowered. A business’s employees are the most valuable asset, prioritising mental health not only benefits individuals but also contributes to the long-term success of organisations.To discuss further please contact @roseharper.
