Employee wellbeing this R U OK? Day and every day

R U OK? Day is founded with the knowledge that a conversation could change a life.

The suicide prevention society encourages people to invest more time in their personal relationships and form strong informal support networks encompassing their family, friends, and colleagues.

Offering meaningful support to someone who needs it can be as simple as one conversation or question.

In the spirit of 2024’s theme, Ask R U OK? Any Day because life happens every day, we’re sharing the steps small businesses in Australia can take to improve employee wellbeing today and always.

How can asking R U OK? Help?

Mental health is tricky to quantify. Physical signs aren’t always present, which means identifying when a person is struggling isn’t always easy.

That’s why initiatives like R U OK? Give us a lot to learn from. It’s rooted in creating meaningful networks of support on an individual level—encouraging people to stay alert to those around them.

If you’re wondering how much difference one conversation can make, a recent study asked the same question.

The findings of the study published in 2023 suggested that having one conversation per day with a friend can have a significant positive effect on a person’s mental health. It measured impact through seven communication behaviours:

1. Catching up
   
2. Meaningful talk
   
3. Joking around
   
4. Showing care
   
5. Listening
6. Valuing others and their opinions
7. Offering sincere compliments

The conclusion of the study was that regardless of which of the behaviours were practised, the general act of intentionally reaching out to a friend had a positive impact.

Open conversation, healthy workplaces

Employers in Australia are obligated to safeguard their employees’ physical and mental safety at work according to work health & safety laws.

A failure to respond to mental health challenges is costing Australian businesses almost $11 billion a year. With one in five people experiencing mental ill-health within a 12-month period, it’s vital for businesses to take action.

Eliminating and lowering psychosocial hazards at work can be a complex undertaking. But fostering a culture of open communication can make a huge difference in the success of your efforts.

Employees who feel heard and supported at work are more likely to stay loyal and engaged in your business, they can be more productive, and experience higher job satisfaction. Plus, high-quality candidates are more likely to be attracted to joining your business.

What steps can small businesses take to better support employees?

On top of keeping healthy conversation going all year round, here are a few more measures employers can take to support their employees in maintaining their psychological wellbeing.

1. Conduct regular risk assessments

Psychosocial health is like any other work health and safety hazard. It’s important to treat them as such and conduct risk assessments to identify hazards before they have a chance to affect your employees or business.

2. Offer your employees an EAP

An Employee Assistance Program offers employees professional mental health support to deal with their personal challenges confidentially.

3. Empower your employees

Give your employees opportunities to grow their skills and expand their knowledge through e-learning and training. This investment in your employees helps boost job satisfaction and makes an individual feel valued.

4. Recognise achievements

Showing your team that you appreciate their hard work is an important way to incentivise and encourage them. Make sure your efforts are consistent by using tools like employee recognition platforms. You can also reward your employees with cost-saving perks like discounts on their favourite brands, goods and services.

There’s no one-fits-all solution to good mental health. So, make sure you’re taking the right steps to support your employees by tailoring your mental health approach according to your specific business and industry.

Immediate mental health support resources

Lifeline - 24/7 crisis support and suicide prevention services

Call: 13 11 14

Text support: 0477 13 11 14

Beyond Blue - Advice, referral and support from a trained mental health professional

Call: 1300 22 4636

Suicide Call Back Service - Free counselling and support

Call: 1300 659 467

13 YARN - National crisis support line for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people

Call: 13 92 76

QLife - phone and online anonymous LGBTIQ+ support and referral

Call: 1800 184 527