ecchelmet 
The World Health Organization conceptualizes ‘mental health’ as ‘a state of well-being’ in which an individual realizes his or her abilities, can adequately cope with the normal stresses of life, work productively and contribute effectively to his or her community. In other words, mental health refers to a state of successful balance under times of stress, pressure or in challenging circumstances.
In a constantly stressful situation like at a construction site, it is imperative for all to be in the right frame of mental health to contribute productively, and even more critically from an EHS standpoint, complete their tasks safely. There is no doubt that in recent times, we, as an organization, have introduced several initiatives & tech solutions to protect our workforce from physical harm but not as much of an effort to ensure their mental health and wellness.
Working conditions can and do impact the physical, mental & social health of the workforce with a clear connection between the physical work environment & its associated risks and the health of the workforce. Bad physical work conditions can cause stress, poor mental & physical health, resulting in higher absenteeism, lower performance & reduced productivity. A good working environment, on the other hand, will certainly boost employee/worker morale, teamwork & communication; it can even control attrition, reducing the associated costs of recruitment & training.
7 major categories that impact mental health
- Culture of the organization and how it approaches work-related stress
- Demands such as workloads and exposure to physical hazards
- Controls – How much say a person has in the way he/she does his/her work
- Relationshipsbetween employees
- Change– How organizational change is managed and communicated down
the line - Role – Whether the individual understands his/her role in the organization
and whether the organization ensures that the individual does not have
conflicting roles - Individual factors unique to an individual
Here below are enumerated some common challenges/risks we encounter in our everyday work life and the desired mitigation steps:
| Challenge/Risk | How to mitigate |
|---|---|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Promoting mental health, work-life balance, restricted work on holidays and Sundays, flexible working hours wherever possible, regular mental health check-ins, encouraging physical activity, providing access to counselling services, fostering open communication like the recent Let’s Talk initiative, and creating a supportive work environment are essential strategies for enhancing employee well-being in the workplace. This is not merely a moral responsibility but also a strategic investment. By fostering a positive and supportive environment that prioritizes mental well-being, we can reduce absenteeism, increase job satisfaction & enhance employee productivity.
Addressing key psychosocial factors such as organizational culture, workload, control, relationships, and communication during change is essential to mitigate the risks of mental ill-health. Ultimately, creating a workplace that values mental health leads to healthier, more engaged, and productive employees, benefiting both individuals and the organization.
L&T has initiated the process of improving mental health through work-life balance, access to counselling services and other initiatives like the mandatory Privilege Leave (PL) of 10 days per calendar year to be compulsorily used out of the accrued leave, that we should avail of to maintain a positive mental framework for the good of all.