KANSAS CITY, MO — Maintaining a safe and healthy workplace for employees brings up important discussions at manager meetings. Are people getting the training they need, wearing required personal protective equipment, feeling empowered to speak up if they see health or safety issues, conducting safety checks to ensure compliance? How are worker injuries and absences affecting the bottom line?
In the commercial baking industry, workplace safety often focuses on specific items such as worker exposure to excessive indoor heat, safety procedures for using industrial baking equipment, and the requirements of OSHA’s injury and illness log.
These are all important topics, but there’s another danger that is increasingly impacting the workplace. It is a danger that can affect people at all levels in the organization, from part-time staff to the CEO. That danger is work-related stress and its impact on mental health.
Workplace issues can exacerbate the risk of experiencing mental health challenges. These stressors combined can make it more difficult for workers to complete their tasks; threaten their safety, productivity and wellbeing; and lead to burnout. Without proper support, people struggling with mental health issues may turn to substance abuse and even suicide. And like other deadly workplace hazards, these can be prevented.
Because of the many potential stressors employees may experience, a comprehensive approach involving workers, management, human resource specialists and medical professionals is part of the solution. More than 85% of employees surveyed in 2021 by the American Psychological Association reported that actions from their employer would help their mental health.
The goal is finding ways to alleviate or remove stressors in the workplace, build coping and resiliency supports, and make sure people who need help know where to turn. The Mental Health Parity and Addiction Equity Act ensures health plans cannot impose barriers on access to mental health or substance use disorder benefits that don’t apply to medical and surgical benefits, a step toward ensuring workers have access to the help they need.
Reducing workplace stress benefits everyone across an organization. It can improve morale, lead to increased productivity and better focus, and reduce workplace injuries and the number of sick days used. It can also improve physical health by lowering blood pressure and strengthening immune systems.
In fact, the World Health Organization estimates that for every dollar US employers spend treating common mental health issues, they receive a return of $4 in improved health and productivity.
Employers can make a difference when it comes to helping their staff manage stress. Key things they can do include being aware of and acknowledging that people can carry an emotional load that is unique to their own circumstances; identifying factors that make it harder for workers to get their jobs done and determining if adjustments can be made; showing empathy and reassuring employees they are open to discussions about work stress by creating a safe and trustworthy space; and providing access — without penalty — to coping and resiliency resources, workplace and leave flexibilities, and other supportive networks and services.
OSHA’s website offers several resources to help employers — specifically senior managers and front-line supervisors — alleviate workplace stress, support mental health and set up their own training program.
Getting Started Guides for Employers. These guides can help employers gain confidence in talking to workers about workplace stress, mental health and substance use.
Mental Health Checklists for Employers. These checklists identify ways for employers to reduce workplace stressors and support mental health.
Workplace Stress Sample Questions. This document provides sample questions employers can ask to determine whether adjustments can be made to reduce workplace stress and if an employee needs mental health support.
Myth Buster Fact Sheet. This one-page document dispels myths that might make workers reluctant to talk about workplace stress and mental health challenges. Employers can distribute it to employees or display it in the workplace to reduce the stigma surrounding these topics.
Preventing Suicides. This webpage provides information on the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline and links to other useful resources.
Why should employers get involved in the personal problems of their employees? Of all the investments a company makes, employees, or “human capital,” are the most valuable to an organization. Whether private or known to their co-workers, their struggles may be impacting the company.
Training in mental health and suicide awareness may cost a company a few hours for a personal presentation. The company may incur the cost of printing and posting information in worker spaces or the downtime involved when employees take time to approach their supervisor and human resources professionals about their needs. However, these few minutes spent may just save a life.
This story has been adapted from the August | Q3 2024 issue of Commercial Baking. Read the full story in the digital edition here.
