Practical Strategies for Supporting Employee Mental Health in the Workplace
Employee well-being is no longer just a “nice-to-have” in the workplace—it’s essential for retention, productivity, and long-term organizational health. But supporting mental health isn’t just about offering generic wellness perks; it’s about creating systems and policies that genuinely reduce stress and allow employees to thrive.
I’m Natania Malin Gazek, a values-aligned people strategist with an MBA in organizational behavior and over a decade of experience helping organizations design workplace strategies that support employee well-being. Here are some practical approaches that have made a measurable difference in employee satisfaction and retention:
1. Implement a Practical Prioritization System
Crises happen, and workloads can spike unexpectedly. Take stock of what work is mission-critical and what can wait, and share that assessment with your team. Make prioritization a regular conversation—weekly check-ins work well—to clarify project timelines, upcoming time off, and communication expectations. When teams normalize these conversations, it becomes easier to resist unnecessary compromises to well-being.
2. Consider a Four-Day Workweek
Research, including a 2022 study, shows that organizations that shift from a five-day to a four-day workweek see improved product quality, better customer service, reduced absenteeism, increased job satisfaction, and lower stress. While this may feel ambitious, practical guides exist for implementation, and even partial adoption of the model can have meaningful benefits.
3. Set Core Hours for Communication
Flexible schedules are great—but without clear boundaries, they can inadvertently create a 24/7 work culture. Establish core hours when all staff are expected to be available for meetings or collaboration. Outside of these hours, employees can still work but are not expected to respond immediately. This helps staff disconnect mentally and physically, improving focus and reducing burnout.
4. Close the Office Strategically
True office closures—for example, the last week of December—allow employees to fully step away from work without worrying about falling behind. Consider mirroring this restorative period during shorter intervals, like long weekends or the implementation of a four-day workweek. Even brief, guaranteed breaks help employees recharge and return to work refreshed.
5. Disable Work-Related Phone Notifications
Even when organizational policies aren’t in place, individuals can protect their mental health. Blocking email and messaging notifications outside of work hours reduces cognitive overload, minimizes task switching, and allows for greater presence in non-work activities.
These strategies focus not just on perks but on creating a workplace where employees can thrive sustainably. Prioritizing mental health isn’t a trend—it’s a business imperative.
For more insights on practical, values-aligned workplace strategies, visit www.NMGazek.com or reach out via email at Na*****@*****ek.com.
