Promoting Employee Health
While not uncommon before the COVID-19 pandemic, mental health issues have increased due to isolation, economic issues, and social upheaval, according to organizations like the National Institute of Mental Health.
This is bad news for employers. When employees bring these problems to the workplace, lost workdays can mean lost productivity. The National Safety Council’s cost calculator estimates that a manufacturing company in New Jersey with 250 employees could lose $284,504 annually because of missed workdays due to mental distress and illness.
Employers have options. For every $1 invested in the treatment and support of mental health disorders, an employer can see a return of $4 in improved health and productivity, according to estimates by The World Health Organization.
To promote employee mental health, employers can:
- Educate employees on the value of good mental health
- Offer employees telehealth access to providers through a laptop or cell phone.
- Train managers to support employees in understanding mental well-being
- Provide access to an employee assistance program (EAP) for referrals to mental health professionals.
To calculate what the costs of lost productivity to your workplace from mental health issues might be, visit www.nsc.org/mentalhealthatwork.
Copyright © 2020 Smarts Publishing
About the Author
Share This Story
Related Blogs
OSHA Announces Top 10 Violations for 2025
OSHA recently revealed its top 10 most frequently cited standards in the 2025 fiscal year using preliminary data. This information is valuable for businesses of all kinds, as it helps them identify common exposures that affect their workforce and gives them the information they need to plan their compliance programs.
Cyber Hygiene for Schools: Teaching Digital Safety to Students
Cyber hygiene for schools is more important than ever in today’s digital learning environment. Teaching digital safety to students not only protects their personal information but also strengthens overall school cybersecurity. With increasing online access in classrooms, cyber hygiene for schools must become a routine part of curriculum planning and student behavior expectations.
Mental Health Benefits Go Mainstream: What Employers Need to Know
Once considered a niche offering or a reactive add-on, mental health benefits have now moved to the center of the employee experience. In 2025, nearly half of U.S. employers offer some form of mental health support beyond traditional EAPs—a sharp rise from just 30% in 2023. This shift isn’t just cultural; it’s strategic.