This year’s Monday, 16th January 2023, will be known as “Blue Monday.” What is the story behind this phenomenon, and how will it affect HR professionals’ understanding of workplace well-being throughout the entire year?
For many, a new year is a fresh start after a relaxing break. This period, however, can be a bit depressing for others. The third Monday in January is known as ‘Blue Monday,’ and it’s supposedly the saddest day of the entire year.
It is commonly believed that Blue Monday is the day of absence from work. Sky Travel first coined the term ‘Blue Monday’ in a press release from 2005 that claimed they had calculated the date by using an “equation.” However, it’s a good reminder of how people may feel during this period.
In recent years, mental health has become more important than physical health. It is estimated that one in four people will experience mental illness at some stage in their lives. Since the workplace is the leading cause of stress and anxiety, HR departments and business leaders must take action. Although events such as this should not be the only time we encourage openness in the workplace, it is the perfect time to do so.
What can HR professionals or employers do to help those who are struggling? Mental health is not something we all have to be experts in, but there are simple ways to help.
Regularly check in with your team.
Business leaders and HR professionals need to establish a culture of transparency and identify early signs of mental illness before it becomes a serious problem. You can use an HR System to set up online surveys that collect data about how your team members feel. This will allow you to identify negative feelings earlier. Consider holding informal 1:1 meetings to discuss performance. You may already have a system of regular 1:1 meetings.
It will encourage them to express themselves more honestly and openly. You can help alleviate any problems by identifying them early. This will prevent a stressful, formal meeting for the employee, especially if they have become increasingly anxious.
Mental Health Training for Team Leaders and Managers
You should inform your line manager if you believe an employee may be struggling. They can then help them find the right support. They can adjust their workloads and pay closer attention to the employee’s situation if necessary.
Many organizations encourage their managers and leaders to take mental health courses. They are equipped with the skills to help others at work and can refer colleagues to them if they feel they need assistance.
There are many free resources that you can use to train your employees. The mental health charity Mind offers a range of training options, including online courses and in-house sessions. It also provides guides, webinars, on-demand courses, and online courses.
Employee Wellness Benefits
Employee benefits packages can include mental health support, such as counseling or therapy sessions. This allows employees to receive support in privacy, which could be a huge help to those who are unable to get these services anywhere else. This type of service should be advertised clearly so that employees know they can get help whenever they need it.
Businesses can also adopt hybrid and flexible work arrangements. These can help to alleviate stress by allowing their employees to adjust the balance between work and life.
Human Resource software can also help…
Natural HR is an HR software that has absence management modules. These modules give HR professionals tools to recognize when employees may be struggling with mental health. This feature helps HR professionals identify patterns, better understand absence records, and reduce employee absenteeism.
HR software can also monitor employee satisfaction, employee sentiment, and employee engagement, which are all early indicators of the mental health of the team.
You can help your employees cope with the January blues by identifying problems as early as you can. Also, streamline other daily processes to allow you to focus on the most important thing: the people.