HR Tech and Employee Mental Health (Guest blog)

Employee mental health is an important aspect that any organization needs to take into account. The recent covid 19 pandemics that surged the globe have increased the stress in the entire population. Because; the impact of Covid-19 on the economy and the market was disastrous. Many employees were laid off, while others were struggling with adjusting to the work from the home module. This pandemic has shown a tremendous shift in the work culture and processes. Many employees faced uncertainty at their jobs because small and medium-sized enterprises suffered a lot due to the challenges. 
 
Many HR leaders are implementing technology in their processes to understand where mental health problems arise and how to solve them. 

How to efficiently manage employee mental health with HR technology? 

Employee assistance programs implementation: 

Many organizations provide employee assistance programs to their workforce. But unfortunately, it is just a mere checklist in their process and is an inefficient solution. Because neither the human resources take it seriously enough nor the employees know how to use it. 
 
The advanced effective advanced employee assistance program is revolutionizing employee mental health techniques. The best cloud-based HR software will help to deploy these programs on the employee's mobile devices. This technology will have a self-serve kiosk wherein they explore the options like meditation, exercise, yoga, or other advice. 
 
The best software will integrate a portal wherein the employees can directly speak with a therapist through a voice or video call for complex issues. Additionally, they can book an appointment for face-to-face counseling with the therapist. Many business owners that have employee mental health as a priority can implement this strategy. 

Human resource analytics: 

Employee mental health is a complex topic because everyone has a different thought process, pain points, or understanding. As a reason, businesses need the best human resource software with AI to analyze the unstructured employee mental health data. Organizations with challenging work processes will impact the employee's mental health. Artificial intelligence will help to spot the challenges and risk that impacts the employee's mental health. As a result, the business leaders can take the necessary steps to eliminate the potential threats. Furthermore, AI will also help to spot the individuals, which are at higher risk of being impacted by mental health. Business leaders can take consistent surveys forms that discuss such issues to spot the real challenges. 

Interactive employee engagement: 

One of the most efficient ways to monitor employee mental health is to implement an effective employee engagement program. The HR leaders can take weekly, monthly, quarterly, or yearly surveys to understand employee thoughts or what they want. Mental health is a very sensitive aspect that organizations need to handle effectively. There is a vast difference between helping a person and removing the person who struggles with mental health. 
 
It is a proven strategy that the businesses that have employee mental health as a priority will have a highly productive workforce. Because the employees working for such organizations feel valued, cared and appreciated for their efforts. 

Easy access to mental health resources: 

It is easy to find information about gender equality, harassment, physical safety, and fire hazards at the workplace. But it is difficult to find resources about mental health at any institute because no one gives it a priority. The HR business leaders should choose HR software that gives easy access to mental health resources. Additionally, this software will store each interaction with the employee and store; it on a central server in real-time. This technology helps to spot the challenges that employees are reluctant to discuss. Employers with the help of technology should make a work culture; that is supportive wherein the employees feel comfortable to talk about their issues. Currently, most of the population globally is working from home, so the traditional processes to educate people about mental health will be ineffective. Technology will help to provide easy access to mental health resources even when they are working remotely. 

Encourage employees to socialize: 

Due to the current situation, it is challenging for your workforce to socialize because of the restrictions. Yes, social media is there but, it cannot replace the impact of the face to face socialization. Other than family and friends, any individual will spend more time at the office and with colleagues. As a reason, HR leaders need to need to encourage their workforce to interact with their work peers beyond work and discuss topics that are not related; to work. Business leaders can organize team lunches, dinners, or potlucks to know their team beyond the professional relationship. They can also design strategies that help to understand more about the person's personal life, hobbies, and other interests. It helps to identify if the person is dealing with any challenges; mentally and how we can help them. 

Conclusion: 

Employee mental health is a sensitive subject that organizations need to handle effectively. Because the mental health of your employees is impacted it will directly influence your productivity. Many business HR leaders are implementing technology to improve the mental health of their employees. You might get overwhelmed with the technology options you have in the market you can visit Technology Counter and explore the best option for you.