New research published in ‘Industrial Relations Journal’ concludes that there is no evidence that Mental Wellness on an individual level, such as mindfulness, resilience and stress management, relaxation classes and wellness apps, benefit employees. The study, based on data from surveys of 46,336 workers in 233 organizations in the United Kingdom, found that participants in health interventions for mental wellness at an individual level did not seem to be better off than other workers across multiple indicators of subjective well-being.
Study author William Fleming of the Wellbeing Research Center at the University of Oxford in the United Kingdom adds that organizational interventions, such as changes in scheduling, management practices, staff resources, performance review or job design, may be more beneficial in improving well-being in the workplace. Fleming emphasized the need for organizations to change the workplace, not just the worker, in order to improve employee well-being.
The research highlights the importance of good mental health at work, as it plays a crucial role in the lives of adults who spend a significant portion of their time in the work environment. A work environment that does not take care of psychological well-being can lead to physical and mental health problems, including work-related stress that can also cause physical problems. Factors such as inefficient communication practices, long hours, lack of team cohesion, and bullying or harassment can negatively influence the mental health of workers. However, it is increasingly recognized that employee mental well-being positively contributes to organizational results, as well as to the worker’s health, professional fulfillment, and quality of life.
The study’s findings suggest the need for more ambitious efforts to improve employee well-being, calling on employers to take action and stimulate further research in this area. The research findings aim to encourage a shift towards better labor practices and organizational interventions that prioritize approaching mental wellness in the workplace.