How often do you sit at your desk to eat your lunch while you tap away at your computer and try and get work done?
It’s surprising how many of us work through our lunch without realising the consequences it can have for our health, in a bid to meet deadlines, get out of work early, or even please a boss who may not be too fussed if you complete your work an hour later.
When you take a break, how often do you take it with colleagues – whether it’s chatting at the coffee machine, walking across the road together to buy takeaway, or catching-up on weekend plans as you walk around the block to clear your mind? Do you know what your colleagues’ hobbies are? Did you leave your work at the office last night? Switch off your phone? Decide not to respond to emails at 8pm? Or do you have an overbearing boss making life difficult?
Too many of us are slaves to our desk jobs, and it’s impacting on our mental health, both at work and when we should be relaxing after hours.
If we’re chained to our desks and not taking much-needed breaks, our output is compromised and even though we think we’re working well, we’re probably not working at our potential best.
Business SA is joining with the Mental Health Coalition ahead of Mental Health Week – which kicks off on 7 October – to encourage workplaces to become mentally healthy. If our workplaces and our workmates are supportive, and we take the breaks we should, seek the support we need when recognising we’re finding it tough or help is required, we’d all live in a much healthier space.
According to SafeWork Australia, mental stress claims are the most expensive compensation claims submitted. Each year Australian businesses pay out $146 million in costs.
Recent Price Waterhouse Coopers research shows that for every $1 spent on creating a mentally healthy workplace, $2.30 will be returned in increased productivity, lower rates of absenteeism and fewer compensation claims.
Research conducted by HeadsUp found nine out of 10 employees believed mentally healthy workplaces were important, but only five out of 10 thought their workplace was.
A mentally healthy workplace is not just an aspiration, it is a legal requirement for employers with rights and responsibilities under anti-discrimination, privacy, and work health and safety legislation.
Recognising the importance of having a healthy workplace, we will be launching the 5 Day Workplace Challenge at a morning tea at Business SA this Thursday in conjunction with the Mental Health Coalition.
The challenge guides workplaces through simple daily steps employees can take during Mental Health Week and beyond to promote a better understanding of mental health. And that means encouraging staff to switch off devices at night, catching up with friends and taking a walk at lunch. Our greatest wealth is our mental health. As employers, we have a responsibility to ensure we walk the talk.
Nigel McBride is chief executive of Business SA.
This article was originally published in the South Australian Business Journal on Tuesday 18 September.