Healing - Centered Workplaces: Future of Work
Fostering positive connections, meaningful conversations, and a mindset for growth are universal desires. However, the presence of toxic individuals can undermine these aspirations. Those facing challenges such as traumas, PTSD, behavioral or emotional disabilities, sensory impairments, physical disabilities, or developmental disabilities require tools to enhance their productivity and ease their daily work. Unintentionally, individuals can contribute to toxic workplace cultures, emphasizing the need for organizations to implement tools that promote a healthy, supportive, and inclusive environment. This goes beyond mere vision and mission statements, necessitating tangible daily action plans. Beyond financial considerations, it is crucial to reflect on what it truly means for individuals to spend a significant portion of their lives at work without experiencing stress, hostility, or various forms of abuse—particularly for those who may lack healthy relationships outside of work.
Here are some concise tips on how to foster a healing at workplaces:
Lead by example: Demonstrate the values and behaviors you want to see in your employees. For example: Invite Yoga teacher every Wednesday at workplace, or Reiki, massages for employees. Invite your team for a team meeting at park nearby, or for a team meetings encourage your team to walk and talk when working from home. Just one quick walk around the park nearby can increase employee productivity and decrease employee fatigue.
Mental Health Support: Provide resources and programs to support employees' mental health, such as counseling services and stress management workshops. I would recommend: Better Help, Calm as a number 1 app for meditation and sleep, or Headspace
Open Communication: Encourage employees to express their concerns and emotions openly, and ensure that management is approachable and empathetic.
Flexible Work Arrangements: Offer flexible schedules, remote work options, and a healthy work-life balance to reduce stress and promote well-being.
Promote Inclusivity: Foster a diverse and inclusive culture where all employees feel valued and respected.
Training and Education: Provide training on mental health awareness and stress reduction techniques for employees and managers. Create guides, tools and videos. Ask your employees what they need, then create training and provide them what they want.
Conflict Resolution: Implement effective conflict resolution processes to address interpersonal issues and reduce workplace stress.
Wellness Programs: Offer wellness initiatives such as fitness programs, mindfulness sessions, or meditation rooms to support physical and mental health.
Leadership Role Modeling: Leaders should exemplify healthy behaviors and prioritize self-care to set a positive example.
Feedback Mechanisms: Create channels for employees to provide feedback and suggest improvements to the workplace culture. Create action plans ad hoc based on employees feedback, let your employees feel heard.
Workplace Policies: Develop and enforce policies that promote a respectful and nurturing atmosphere, including zero tolerance for harassment or discrimination.
Recognition and Appreciation: Recognize and celebrate employees' contributions, milestones, and achievements.
Supportive Environment: Build a sense of community and belonging where employees can rely on each other for support and camaraderie.
Continuous Improvement: Regularly assess and refine the workplace culture to ensure it aligns with the well-being of employees.
Remember that creating a healing workplace culture is an ongoing process that requires commitment and effort from both leadership and employees. Prioritizing mental health and well-being can lead to increased productivity, reduced turnover, and a happier, healthier workforce. Along with employee assistance programs, conversation and education are fundamental if our goal is to increase understanding and reduce the stigma around mental health. Change starts with leaders and HR professionals recognizing the ambivalence and inner conflict many insanely talented people feel, and doing something about it. Because when people get the space and the support they need, it can change their careers, and their lives.
