The year 2020 is a year we will not forget. It has tested our wellbeing and mental health. Our lives have been upended and, for many, the way work has been transformed. A growing body of research shows that healthy and happy workers are more productive and companies are taking note.

With Australia finally seeing its lockdowns come to an end, and as most of us prepare to go back to the workplace, our team here at HQ decided to put together their 10 top tips for creating a mentally healthy workplace. Because, you can never have too many plants, right?

Rewarding and recognising employees and colleagues leads to greater employee engagement, which in turn increases retention and helps create a more positive overall workplace.

Let's face it, no one wants to feel underappreciated at work, and giving positive encouragement, support and reinforcement is important for keeping up morale. It's basic human nature, when we feel appreciated, we generally feel better, which can lead to better mental health and overall happiness at work. 

Although not every workplace will have a mental health policy or plan in place, it's a great tool that can be used to open up conversations around mental health, and plays a big part in encouraging great company culture. 

For those who already have the mental health policy in place, have routine with your colleagues or employees, and allow everyone the chance to have their say, make suggestions for improvements or bring new ideas to the table. 

Employee Assistance Programs (EAP) allow employers to support their employees – and often their employees’ families – through confidential counselling sessions with registered psychologists.

Access to an EAP provides a safe, confidential environment to understand and resolve issues that might impact their performance at work. Employees can gain invaluable coping skills and strategies. Even the simple knowledge that they are valued enough to be provided with assistance improves morale.

A large part of our stress or strain in the workplace comes from our workload, and having looming deadlines, targets and KPI's to meet, our workloads can often put pressure on our mental health. 

The first step in managing your own workload, is to take a step back and assess if everything you are required to do, really is achievable in the timeframes you have. If not, don't be afraid to bring it up with your manager or supervisor, and have an open discussion to find ways how the situation can be improved. Similarly for managers and supervisors, be sure to continually check in with your employees and colleagues to ensure they are managing their workload well. 

According to researches, most Millennials and Gen Z have a side hustle to do for several reasons. One of the most common ones is that both Millennials and Gen Z get opportunities to learn things from online platforms to excel in something demanding.

Designing various types of workspaces to accommodate the work styles of diverse employees also boosts engagement – and this employee-centric approach improves quality of life in the office. Designing for a range of personalities means someone can find a space they really like to work in. An office where you feel like you can be yourself has positive impacts on mental wellbeing.

Areas for employees to take time out can help manage anxiety about the return to the office. As companies gradually adapt to calls for a better work-life balance, more offices are installing quiet spaces for reflection, meditation or prayer. Natural light is vital and workers who have more exposure to daylight in the office report a better quality of life.

Incorporating elements of nature into workplace design can offer a significant boost to employees’ mental wellbeing. For example, plants and wooden materials have been shown to reduce stress and natural daylight with a view of the great outdoors helps reduce anxiety.

Plants in the workplace have been deemed restorative, accelerating your brain’s ability to recover from fatigue and stress. Despite your reasons for bringing leafy friends into your concrete jungle, plants have certainly proven their rightful place on our desks (and our hearts).