5 ways employers can help employees reduce stress and anxiety

Only by clearly communicating and normalizing the signs of mental health conditions and promoting these resources will employers be able to create a more productive, less stressed workplace. (Photo: Shutterstock)

The emotional, physical and financial tolls of a global pandemic—combined with geopolitical tensions and the return to in-person work—have contributed to an incredibly stressed workforce. It’s no surprise that in a recent well-being survey, 86% of employers noted mental health and burnout as a top priority for 2022. Fierce competition for top talent—where great benefits are sometimes more valuable than a big paycheck—has only increased the need for customized, comprehensive employee benefits programs that address mental health and mental well-being at every stage of life.

Employers must now embrace a strategy that appropriately attracts, retains and cares for employees. The stakes have never been higher. Whether employees openly communicate their struggles, all of them experienced some sort of mental health challenge during the COVID-19 pandemic. Even those without an official diagnosis may need help to be fully engaged and productive. In addition to their own anxiety, many employees are also managing their children’s or parents’ emotional needs.