The power that was primarily in the hands of the employer in older times have now been shifted to the employee’s attention. Now, not only the employees need to work to make the organization prosper, but the organization also needs to put in efforts to attract, nurture and retain a suitable high potential pool. Thus, in the present-day context, it is critical for the firms who are looking for harmony and prosperity, to formulate a plan in order to ensure the well-being of their workers.

Some points that are needed to be taken into consideration so as to ensure employee mental health in these testing times are discussed below- 

Extending mental support- Ensuring prime mental health of all workers is critical to the overall productivity of the organization. Every firm must take into account the problems and feedback of their workers and strive to solve and utilize them in an efficient and timely manner. Transparent and effective channels must be clearly defined in a workplace for grievance redressal and feedback.

Furthermore, physical illnesses and external stresses of workers must be accountable for formulating policies that might directly or indirectly impact worker’s health. Occasional retreats and recreational activities can also facilitate a worker's mood and mental well-being.

Prepare for the transition to offline/hybrid models-  

The world underwent a drastic transformation in the wake of the global pandemic. All the work flow was shifted from offline to online mediums hastily by businesses in order to survive the pandemic. The employees found themselves amidst a sudden transition where they had to work from home through digital means instead of their regular in- office jobs. They had to reskill themselves accordingly, and naturally, it took a considerable period for them to get used to this new normal.

However, with the vaccines rolling out, the 'normal' as established is again shifting. Some of the workplaces are trying to return to the offline modes of work and regain the old practices, while many are adopting the entirely new idea of hybrid workplaces which, as the name suggests, seek to bridge the gap between online and offline work models.

In this scenario of constant shifting and change, employees can find themselves in transitional stress and worries. The constant change can work to hamper the productivity and moods of the employees if not brought about in a well-thought manner. Thus, it is critical for employers to take steps in this direction. 

Organizations should be thoughtful while implementing a work model change and inform the employees timely. In the case of on-site and in-office work, optimum conditions should be ensured so that employees do not feel threatened for their health and well-being in these testing times. Lastly, a standing fear in employees is that if they opt for remote work, they will be overlooked at the time of appraisals. To overcome this, transparent channels of work evaluation and appraisals should be put in place, where no employee feels discriminated upon.

Summing up

The present times have been heavy on both employers and employees. The pandemic took a toll on the mental well-being of the masses around the globe. Even after almost two years in, people are still struggling to accommodate the changes as compelled by the pandemic. Constantly changing the dynamics of the workplace has added to the stress of both employees and employers. However, it is critical for the mental health of all members of staff to be optimum for the growth and sustenance of an organization. Furthermore, there is a need for companies to work towards ensuring the same. 

Recreational initiatives can be taken by the authorities to ensure that the employees do not feel overwhelmed. Moreover, the policies are needed to be transparent and thoughtful with a view to employees feeling seen and heard. Lastly, a place of work should give due importance to the feedback and grievances of their employees and use them to improve worker satisfaction and well-being.