Prioritising Mental Health Through Workplace Boundaries
As May unfolds, Mental Health Awareness Month presents an opportunity to destigmatize mental health issues through open conversations and sharing knowledge. Understanding mental health encompasses emotional, psychological, and social well-being. It is more than just the absence of mental illness; it is a state of well-being, characterised by the ability to cope with stress, adapt to change, and contribute meaningfully to society (1).
Considering that we spend roughly one-third of our lives working (2), it is no surprise that the work environment can profoundly impact our mental well-being. In this article, we delve into a fundamental element of mental health in the workplace: setting boundaries.
Creating Psychological Safety at Work for Employers
Boundaries often shape workplace interaction dynamics and influence organisational culture. When lacking, their absence can profoundly affect employee mental well-being. Creating psychological safety is paramount for employers to feel comfortable sharing their mental health challenges.
In 1990, William Kahn described psychological safety as "being able to show and employ oneself without fear of negative consequences to self-image, status or career"(3). Psychologically safe workplaces cultivate an environment where employees feel empowered to be authentic, express their opinions without fear of reprisal, and develop trusting and respectful relationships with their colleagues. Indeed, Psychological Safety is the soil in which healthy teams and individuals can flourish.
Amy Edmonson, Harvard Business School professor (4), recommends these four steps for team leaders to develop a psychologically safe work environment and relationships:
Encourage teams to bond through day-to-day tasks. This is fundamental because in the work place, most people collaborate with others, requiring cultivation of that sense of trust and camaraderie.
Normalise opportunities to learn from mistakes. For example, you can organise team check-ins to understand why something went wrong and glean lessons for next time.
Ensure that all people feel ‘seen’. Researchers found that psychological safety is more significant when people feel authentically seen for who they are. As a result, employees tend to feel less stress and strain.
Seek input with humility and openness. Psychologically safe leaders are willing to be vulnerable
The lack of psychological safety contributes to burnout, a prevalent issue in today's workforce. Addressing burnout requires acknowledging the importance of psychological safety. In psychologically safe environments, team members are more likely to support each other and collaboratively address issues, aiding in prevention and recovery from burnout.
The Burn-out Epidemic
Breaking the stigma surrounding mental health is vital as the global workforce grapples with concerning levels of burnout. A key step in this process is establishing psychological safety. Research conducted by Future Forums’ 2022 found a concerning global prevalence of 42% of the workforce feels burnt out, with younger individuals and women disproportionately affected. Workers under 30 are more likely to report burnout (48%) than those over 30 (40%), while 46% of women feel burnt out versus 37% of men. Factors such as pandemic-induced uncertainty in Gen-Z when starting their careers or the societal pressure put on younger employees to excel early on lead to overworking. Women are also disproportionately affected due to societal, cultural, and workplace factors, including caregiving responsibilities. In fact, the imbalance in household duties and professional roles contributes to their risk of burnout (6) with the standard 40-hour work week, widening women vs men's work-life balance gap. Such cumulative stressors can result in chronic exhaustion and burnout, amplifying existing workplace challenges like pay gaps and limited career advancement opportunities for women.
Therefore, encouraging open conversations about mental health can empower individuals, particularly those from marginalised groups, to set healthier boundaries without fear of judgment and protect their well-being. This approach cultivates a culture that promotes seeking support and fosters understanding in diverse environments, ranging from communities to workplaces. Striking a balance between normalising mental health discussions and recognising the impact of mental health challenges helps create a safe space for people to share their experiences. By ensuring that individuals' needs are honoured and handled with care, we can build a nurturing atmosphere that welcomes and advocates for conversations about mental health.
“You can’t outrun your inability to set boundaries”: Protecting your Wellbeing with Healthy Boundaries at Work
Boundaries serve as a cornerstone for maintaining mental well-being in the workplace. Individuals can create a supportive environment that mitigates burnout risks by proactively defining boundaries around work hours, communication channels, and workload management.
Nedra Glover Tawwab emphasises the importance of boundaries in nurturing healthy relationships, both with oneself and others in her book, Set Boundaries, Find Peace. She emphasises that:
“A boundary is a cue to others about how to treat you.”
Some guidelines for setting personal boundaries include:
Establishing work hours and response times.
Declining participation in workplace gossip.
Scheduling focused work time and breaks.
Communicating resource or training needs.
Asserting preferences regarding workload and tasks.
Teaching others how to honour your boundaries by being consistent in honouring them yourself.
Embracing Self-Care
While setting boundaries may initially evoke discomfort, it is essential to prioritise self-care and advocate for one's well-being. Identifying areas requiring boundaries, communicating them effectively, and reinforcing them consistently are crucial steps in this process.
In conclusion, prioritising mental health through workplace boundaries is imperative for fostering a culture of well-being and resilience. By nurturing psychological safety, addressing burnout, and embracing healthy boundaries, organisations can create environments where individuals thrive professionally and personally. It's time to prioritise mental health, one boundary at a time.
At Laudace, we are committed to empowering communities & organisations to become equity-driven and intersectionality-focused through our ED&I Education, ED&I consultancy and Courageous Conversations Series solutions to foster more inclusive cultures, empower marginalized voices, and social impact.
If you're ready to make a real impact on your teams or communities, contact Laudace today. Together, we can ignite a positive transformation within your organization and create a more equitable world.
Sources
(1)https://www.who.int/news-room/fact-sheets/detail/mental-health-strengthening-our-response
(2) https://www.reference.com/world-view/percentage-lives-spent-working-599e3f7fb2c88fca
(3) https://www.corporate-rebels.com/blog/psychological-safety-79185
(5) https://futureforum.com/research/future-forum-pulse-winter-2022-2023-snapshot/