What is an employee mental health day?
A mental health day is when employees take sick leave to manage their mental wellbeing.
People who take a mental health day may appear physically well enough to work, but they know that their mental health is suffering and are at risk of becoming ill unless they take some time out.
It could be that employees need a mental health day to relieve stress levels that are building up, often causing physical effects such as anxiety or trouble sleeping, or it could be that they are struggling to manage their stress and emotions.
Taking a mental health day isn’t about avoiding responsibilities at work or taking liberties; it’s about taking control and being proactive when it comes to minimising the risk of physical illness that can be caused by rising stress levels and ongoing mental struggles.
Allowing staff to take days off for their mental health also helps to reduce presenteeism, which means that people are less likely to turn up to work when they aren’t necessarily well enough to work productively and effectively.
Mental health days are all about employees taking a day off from work as sickness absence to do something good for their mental health and wellbeing to prevent their mental health from deteriorating which may affect their ability to work.
Why are mental health days important for employees?
The question that employees find themselves asking when considering whether to take a sick day to look after their mental wellbeing is whether this is acceptable to their employer. We don’t hesitate when taking a day off to rest and recover from physical illnesses such as the flu, so why should we think twice when our mental health is suffering and hindering our performance?
There are days when stress can overwhelm us all, where taking a day off to collect ourselves and rejuvenate in order to function normally is essential.
A mental health day can work wonders when things become too much, and we just need the time to collect ourselves in order to return to work at our full potential. However, if you are constantly feeling overwhelmed, this may indicate something more serious, and you must reach out for the correct support.
Physical health and mental health should be treated equally in the workplace, and it’s essential that line managers can spot the signs in their staff who might be struggling with mental health.
It’s vital that there is a company-wide positive approach towards mental health in place, with the precedent set from the top down.
This means that employees are able to comfortably discuss any potential mental health issues without fear of discrimination, and that employers are able to offer the right support and opportunities for self-care.
How to support employee mental health every day
Offering mental health days is just one way that employers can support their staff, and here we outline 5 ways to support employee self-care in the workplace in addition to allowing staff to take time off to rejuvenate:
- On-site stress busters: Reducing stress at work could minimise employees taking mental health-related absences in the first place; businesses can introduce schemes and techniques such as relaxation sessions, chill-out zones and excerise classes to help employees unwind and whtch off from their workload.
- Regular communication: It’s important to encourage emplyees to talk openly and freely about their mental health without fear of judgement. This can be encouraged by line managers by ensuring they arte have an approachable open-door policy. Organising social activities is a good way to help colleagues get along outside work whilst making them feel more at ease when it comes to talking about their mental health.
- Encourage staff to get out of the office: Not only is eating at your desk bad for your body, it os bad for your mental health. Getting fresh air and a change of scenery can help employees return to their desks feeling recharged and less stressed.
- Create a flexible working environment: Businesses that have a flexible work schedule are more likely to retain staff as it gives them the ability to manage work-life balance. Adhering to employees’ individual needs will reduce the stress and pressure of everyday life. Likewise, if businessses allow staff to work from home when feeling mentally unwell, it will reduce the stigma behind mental health absenteeism.
- Introduce a workplace wellbeing programme: A surge in overstressed and overworked employees has led to a rise in mental health absenteeism. One of the ways that businesses can improve this is by introducing a workplace wellbeing programme which encourages staff to manage and speak openly about their physical and mental health. By introducing initiatives like this, businesses are more likely to have a happier and healthier workforce, reducing avoidable absenteeism.
How to introduce employee mental health days
If you’re an employee, ask your line manager or HR department about the health and wellbeing services available within your organisation, and what procedures and policies are in place to help you deal with stress and mental health issues if things do get too much.
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