The 8th of September is R U OK? Day. As you are no doubt aware, R U OK? Day is a national day of action when Australians are reminded to check in with their friends, family and colleagues, to ask: “Are you okay?” It’s also a great opportunity for employers to build on their culture, with the goal of creating a workplace where everyone feels supported and listened to not just on this day, but every day.
According to R U OK?, more than a third of Australians “feel tense or stressed during their work day and almost 13% do not feel emotionally and physically safe at work”.
The results of the survey are worrying, also showing that only 50% of workers believe there are strategies in place to deal with a crisis. Unfortunately, it looks like many employees are falling through the gaps.
To build a positive workplace culture and look after your employers, encourage your entire team to be aware of the signs that someone may be struggling. Signs may include:
- Changes in their physical appearance: a person may seem more tired than usual or seem “flat” or drained of energy. They may be getting sick more often or seem run down. They may be eating more, or less, or drinking more alcohol than before.
- Changes in their mood: they may seem more irritable, worried or short-tempered than usual. They may appear to be overwhelmed by simple tasks.
- Changes in their behaviour: they may seem more withdrawn than usual and have difficulty concentrating, meaning that their work standards are starting to slip.
- Changes in how thoughts are expressed: they may struggle to see the positive side of a situation.
If an employee or colleague is showing two or more of the following signs, it’s time to ask: “R U OK?”
Before you jump straight in with the question, take a step back and think about the following three steps:
- Be ready
- Be prepared
- Pick your moment
When the time is right:
- Ask R U OK?
- Listen
- Encourage action
As an employer, you can also make a few simple changes in the workplace to ease some of the pressure on your team, helping them feel less stressed and more supported at work.
- Encourage employees to find a work-life balance. This is particularly important if your employees spend time working from home.
- Encourage conversations that aren’t just about work. Ask genuine questions and listen responsively.
- Ensure your employees know where to access mental health support if they need it. This may be through an Employee Assistance Program (EAP) or, via support lines such as Lifeline or Beyond Blue.
For more information or to access further resources for your workplace, visit A conversation could change a life | R U OK?
The HR Dept can help you implement a positive workplace culture. Please get in touch to find out how we can help.