Creating a Positive Workplace for Employee Mental Health

As employees, receiving reward and recognition when we perform well makes us feel acknowledged and appreciated.

We are also more likely to continue to perform well if our performance results in a positive outcome. This is because recognition and rewards are powerful motivators. They are associated with many of the positive emotions that we want to feel: satisfied, confident, and valuable. For employers there are many reasons for making reward and recognition part of their workplace culture:

Positive emotions lead to positive attitudes and perceptions. 

Employers that take time to recognize and reward their employees, influence their employees’ attitudes and perceptions towards the workplace. Positive attitudes or perceptions can lead to greater levels of attachment.

Sport and hobbies performed with colleagues, for example can nurture positive emotions, and therefore attachment. In the workplace, greater attachment can result in employees becoming more likely to remain with their companies, and as such, more loyal. For employers, this means reduction in costs associated with high turnover rates and loss of productivity.

It costs nothing to say, “great job”. 

Verbal recognition for a job well done can be in itself a reward. Now a days not all employers can afford to offer rewards in the form of a pay raise or paid time off. Fortunately for us, giving positive feedback to employees is cost-free and has shown to improve performance and increase productivity.

Again, it is about increasing positive emotions in the workplace, which doesn’t require a grand gesture. Consider the emotions felt when someone pays you a compliment. These are words or acts of affirmation that carry a lot of value because they feel personal and genuine. They are social rewards that, like financial ones, motivate employees to work harder.

Unhappy employees breed unhealthy work environments.

It is usually common that in unhealthy workplaces Employees receive less supervisorial support as well as reward and recognition. This can also coincide with employees experiencing higher levels of stress and lower levels of engagement. It only takes one unhappy employee to negatively impact workplace culture.

Employees that are unhappy can alienate their co-workers and make it difficult for them to perform well. It is important employers to note that a sense of community and collaboration is good for business. Positive relationships between employees and their colleagues leads to an expansion of resources by allowing for the sharing of information and skills. These relationships are also a form of support for employees, which allows them to overcome work challenges.

It has been proved time and time again that sport is a catalyst in building healthier, happier employees, and can aid in building employee relationships greatly. Both resulting in a positive Workplace for Employee’s Mental Health.

How does your company affect your mental health?