Considering the amount of time that is spent at work, the workplace can play a huge role in your overall health and mental well-being. Along with the financial benefits, your job can help you to feel productive, increase your self-esteem, provide you with a sense of identity, and offer a social outlet.
Working in a negative environment has been linked to a range of health problems, and can take a heavy toll on your emotional and mental health.
Work-related challenges impacting mental health
There are many sources of stress that come with most jobs, including job security, managing work-life balance, and burnout. But when coupled with constant exposure to a stressful or negative workplace environment, it can do more than make you “hate” your job – it can influence social interactions, lower motivation and work performance and increase stress and anxiety.
Outlined below are some of the factors that may contribute to mental health problems such as anxiety, depression, and even substance abuse.
Long, inflexible working hours, under-staffing, limited resources, unsafe work practices
Working remotely with no clear separation between work and personal time
A toxic workplace with no consequences for bullying, harassment or abuse
Disrespect or rudeness towards peers/colleagues, including gossiping and spreading rumours
Lack of training or guidance and support for the role you are expected to fulfill
Limited or unclear communication from management about tasks, goals, or decision-making.
What is a workplace culture?
Culture refers to the environment that surrounds us. A workplace culture is the shared values, belief systems, and attitudes that people in a workplace share. This is shaped by the leadership and management teams to a large extent. A positive workplace culture improves teamwork, raises morale, increases productivity and efficiency, and enhances workforce retention, job satisfaction, and performance. Above all, it reduces stress in employees.
Positive workplace dynamics and employee well-being
“Dynamics” describes the way in which people interact with one another. In the workplace, it refers to the relationships amongst employees and the pattern of workplace behaviours. Positive dynamics contributes to employee well-being, which refers to the physical, mental, emotional, and economic health of an employee. It also refers to creating a workplace culture that fosters employee relationships, career growth, and employee benefits and rewards.
A psychologically healthy workplace is one in which coworkers are respectful of each other’s personalities, ideas, and working styles; work is allocated fairly; and trust exists between coworkers and between management and employees.
Five factors that foster positive workplace dynamics
When it comes to cultivating a healthier workplace environment, employers and employees can both make a difference. Here are 5 factors that will help.
1. Effective leadership
Sir Richard Branson said, “Train people well enough so they can leave, treat them well enough, so they don't want to”.
When employees are treated with respect, are given trust, and have goals to work towards, they are much more likely to enjoy their job. Strong leaders coach, provide direction, and motivate team members. These things boost overall morale and creates a positive workplace culture.
2. Strong communication
Communication is fundamental in all aspects of life, and is crucial when it comes to fostering positive workplace dynamics. Strong communication skills empower teams and individuals to feel more supported in their position, empower them to overcome challenges, and help employees to work towards their goals.
3. Clear roles and boundaries
It can be extremely challenging to stay motivated or productive if job roles and responsibilities are not clearly defined. The blurred boundaries can make it so much easier for an employee to disengage or even look for another job. It is important for employees to ask questions, and to feel that they can ask questions or request feedback relating to their role and responsibilities. This ties in with clear and strong communication and feeling empowered, as an employee, to speak your mind.
4. Positive and productive relationships
We should all enjoy our jobs. What can make going to work more enjoyable is when you have built positive friendships and work relationships, where you feel that you can speak your mind. Workplaces that invest in the growth and development of employees tend to guide individuals to be more creative, confident in making decisions, and collaborate with one another. This is extremely beneficial to employee well-being.
5. Willingness to own and correct mistakes
An important aspect of positive workplace dynamics, is the willingness to acknowledge and correct mistakes, and not fearing for your job. We are all human and we all make mistakes, so when employers take an understanding approach to addressing mistakes, this will cascade down to the other teams in the workplace. Effective leadership presents that it is ok to make mistakes as long as you own them and address them.
Balancing the scales
A positive workplace culture in which the dynamics amongst employers and employees is healthy, respectful, and open can play a critical role in an employee’s mental health and well-being. This enhances creativity, increases productivity, and reduces staff turnover. It also makes going to work a pleasure, and not a chore you do not want to get out of bed for.
Start your online therapy journey
Our mental health should never have to suffer as a result of a job. If you feel that your mental health is struggling because of your workplace environment, it would be helpful to talk with someone about it. Our licensed therapists are trained to help you get through this challenging phase – get matched now.
