Awareness of the importance of mental health in the workplace is higher than ever before. The regular full-time worker spends almost a quarter of their week working, so it’s safe to say that our wellbeing at work is intrinsically linked with our overall mental health.
Supporting mental health in the workplace has multiple benefits for organisations and their employees. To do this, it’s essential for organisations to have an understanding of their industry landscape and the needs of their workers.
Through research such as SuperFriend’s Indicators of a Thriving Workplace survey, organisations can effectively equip themselves with the solutions they need to create a thriving workplace, today and well into the future.
The benefits of being a mentally healthy organisation
The benefits of prioritising workplace mental health are extensive and wide reaching. They extend to the organisations that put mental health on the agenda, and the people they employ.
- On an individual level, having a mentally healthy workplace can increase work satisfaction and productivity and create a more resilient workforce. While organisations can experience the benefits through talent acquisition and retention, as well as improved work quality and efficiencies.
- Meanwhile, good working relationships can foster a trusting environment and facilitate more knowledge sharing sessions amongst team members. A zero tolerance approach to negative behaviours, such as bullying and discrimination, and managers leading by example in regards to looking after their own mental health also creates space for open conversations and reduces stigma.
What is the Indicators of a Thriving Workplace survey?
To help organisations strive to become and remain mentally healthy, every year we conduct Australia’s largest workplace mental health survey, Indicators of a Thriving Workplace survey.
The 2022 Indicators of a Thriving Workplace survey is the widest yet and connects professionals to unique insights from 19 key industries so they can learn about the circumstances and needs of Australians in the workforce.
The report offers workplaces and industries practical tools and tips to help them shift the dial in workplace mental health and wellbeing, and improve outcomes for their workers, both today and tomorrow.
What does it mean to be a thriving workplace?
Our dedicated team of researchers obtained key insights from almost 10,000 Australians across 19 key industries and identified five core Domains that play a crucial role in a thriving workplace.
Additionally, the survey analysed industries based on key psychological hazards, which include, Inappropriate Workload, Low Recognition, Poor Change Management and Low Job Control.
The 100+ questions informed by the most recent workplace mental health research literature, within the Indicators of a Thriving Workplace survey, compare how each Domain varies by industry, workplace size, and a range of other characteristics.
Industries such as Health Care, Education and Training, Construction and Mining and many more, were evaluated against these Domains with their performance compared to the national average score (72.8/100).
The five Domains have been identified as:
1. Connectedness refers to the quality of interpersonal relationships in the workplace. The desire to feel connected is a basic human need. For many people, the workplace is central to their lives and quality social and emotional interactions have a significant impact on mental health.
2. Safety describes the processes put in action so that workplaces are free from harassment, bullying, discrimination and violence. Mental health is fundamentally linked to feeling safe in the workplace. These processes provide proactive support and promote positive social interactions.
3. Leadership comprises how managers enable their teams to achieve shared organisational goals. Workplace leaders have a vital role in creating a positive environment for workers to excel. It is important that they not only support the mental health of workers, but that they also demonstrate how they support their own mental health.
4. Work Design is the way that roles, tasks, and responsibilities are organised. Providing access to flexible working arrangements and opportunities for workers to influence how and when they do their work has a tremendous impact on psychological health. Where possible, a proactive approach to work design encourages not only a better work-life balance, but is also conducive to better mental health.
5. Capability is about equipping the workplace with skills and resources to support mental health. It involves putting policies into action to minimise risks, respond to harm. Empowering workers with skills, knowledge, and resources to support their mental health is also important. It’s about getting the support they need without any barriers.
These five Domains provide a useful framework and exist to help organisations take steps towards becoming (and continuing to be) a mentally healthy workplace.
How does your industry stack up?
Find out how mentally healthy your industry is and how you can make positive change for good. For more information and to download the Key Insights Report.
If you would like to receive additional information or statistics about your industry, please email info@superfriend.com.au
