Workplace stress is nothing new. However, we’ve seen it skyrocket in recent years, largely due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Today, 83% of adults in the U.S. struggle with work-related stress, and 25% of people say their job is the number one source of stress in their lives.
That kind of stress can lead to problems in and out of the workplace. Employees who feel overwhelmed might start to lose productivity or even end up resenting their jobs. Workplace stress can also take a toll on people’s personal lives, and even lead to mental health issues like anxiety and depression.
As an employer, you can’t completely eliminate all stressors from your employees’ lives. You can, however, foster a positive, healthy, encouraging work environment that can reduce stress and lower the risk of employee burnout.
Not sure how to get started? Consider focusing on improving morale through appreciation. Let’s dig a little deeper into why the mental well-being of your employees is so important, and how showing a little recognition can go a long way.
Why Employee Mental Health Matters
If you want to establish a positive company culture, prioritizing mental well-being is essential. In a business where employees feel they aren’t valued and their mental health is suffering, you’re likely to experience issues like:
- Absenteeism
- Presenteeism
- Employee turnover
- Low productivity
- Burnout
Employees struggling with their mental well-being can end up seriously damaging your business. More importantly, however, it could be impacting their home lives and causing a lot of distress outside of the workplace. Thankfully, you can create a healthy company culture that prioritizes mental health by making a few simple changes.
Start by asking your employees for feedback. Where are they struggling? What could be better? Things like surveys and one-on-one interviews are great for getting information from the source.
It’s also important to look for signs of mental health struggles. Not all employees will be open to talking about what they’re dealing with. So, be on the lookout for things like mood changes, behavioral shifts, changes in productivity, or employees who no longer seem interested in activities they typically enjoy. The sooner you take action and work to foster a positive work environment, the healthier your business will be.
The Importance of Appreciation
There are many things you can do to boost mental health and workplace morale. From offering more flexible hours to encouraging frequent breaks and providing your team with mental health resources, don’t cut corners when it comes to creating the right environment.
One of the best ways to improve morale and mental wellness is by showing your workers how much they’re valued. To do that, try putting yourself in your team’s shoes. Maybe you have people who work long hours away from home each day. That can lead to issues like social isolation, relationship problems, and even sleep deprivation. Consider offering those individuals extra time off, or more flexibility during their work week to spend time with their families.
If you have remote workers, make sure they feel included in what’s going on around the office. Even those who come in and work a typical “9-to-5” shift will benefit from feeling like they are understood and appreciated.
Rewards and recognition — especially when they feel personal — can have a big impact on employee mental health. Some of the biggest advantages you’ll see within your business if you start to show more appreciation include:
- Enhanced company culture
- A competitive advantage
- Better team spirit
- Strong brand value
- Better relationships
Showing more appreciation also shows that you’re human. You want to establish a workplace that people are happy to show up to each day. When your employees are happy and healthy, they’re more likely to take care of your business the same way you take care of them. Their positivity will translate to your customers, and your brand might even become known for your incredible workplace culture.
Employee Appreciation Ideas
Again, the way you show recognition and appreciation should vary depending on the needs of your employees. However, small gestures and gifts often go a long way. After all, who doesn’t like getting something tangible that will remind them again and again how much they’re valued?
There are some gifts that stand the test of time for a reason. Things like flowers, gift cards, and even company swag will always be appreciated. However, don’t be afraid to think outside of the box when it comes to the best gifts for your team. That doesn’t necessarily mean you have to spend a lot of money. However, when your workers understand the time and thought that goes into a gift, they’re more likely to take it to heart.
With that in mind, some of the most unique employee appreciation gift ideas include:
- Event tickets
- Air miles
- A donation to their favorite charity
- Streaming services
- Educational or training opportunities
- A trip to the spa
If you’re getting gifts for multiple employees, making them as personal as possible will really tell each individual how much they’re valued. Maybe one worker has teenagers at home and would love a subscription to several streaming services for them. Maybe another team member recently got married but didn’t get to go on a honeymoon. Why not get them air miles? Sometimes, something as simple as a personalized email or a hand-written note can completely turn someone’s day around and let them know their hard work isn’t going unnoticed.
Sensing a theme? Employee appreciation isn’t just about getting a bunch of random small gifts to hand out to your entire team. If you really want your employees to feel valued, get to know them. As the old saying goes, it’s the thought that counts. But, when you can back up that thought with a gift that says “I appreciate you,” you’re more likely to have a workplace environment full of dedicated employees who love what they do.
Employee appreciation isn’t the only way to improve morale in the workplace and boost mental health. However, it’s a great place to start, and a wonderful opportunity for you to give back to the employees who keep your business running smoothly every day.
