When we think about stress at work, it can often be within the context of challenging deadlines, long hours and meeting sales targets. But during regular forums with staff at The Health Insurance Group, to discuss their mental wellbeing, life outside work consistently ranks as the biggest cause of stress.

Everything from breakdown of relationships, challenging dependants to falling behind in financial obligations can take place outside of the office, yet the emotional stress these situations cause often filter into the workplace. Supporting the mental wellbeing of staff doesn’t end in the workplace, it needs to extend to the home too – so what measures can employers put in place to ensure employees are fully supported?

Knowledgeable managers

Having managers that have been through mental health training is crucial to supporting others in the workplace. They will be better equipped to spot the warning signs that someone is struggling and know the tools at their disposal to provide help. Rather than let an employee muddle through concerns they have at home, managers can point them in the direction of services that could help – such as legal and financial advice available through their employee benefits programme, if they are navigating a tricky divorce, for example.

Robust support packages

Employee benefits are most effective when they provide support for a multitude of life scenarios. Questions such as ‘how can I focus at work, when I’m mourning the loss of a loved one’ or ‘how can I pay the bills when I need time off to recover from an illness’ can consume thoughts at home, but employers may have initiatives in place to help them get through. Employee assistance programmes (EAPs) can provide access to bereavement counselling, if someone is struggling with the death of a loved one, for example. Group income protection can continue to pay a monthly income, should an employee be unable to work due to ill-health. Making sure benefits are communicated well, is crucial to ensuing that employees make the most of those available to them.

Open forums

Employees may not want to use official channels to seek support for concerns at home, but just need a sympathetic ear. Mental health forums can provide this, creating an open and trustworthy environment for employees to discuss what is on their minds. It can help to relieve pressure, for example knowing that they are not the only person to have experienced a concern, and it sends a strong message that they are able to discuss a variety of matters at work and will be supported.

With nearly three quarters* (74%) of UK adults having felt so stressed over the past year they have been overwhelmed or unable to cope, so providing support to employees going through difficult times can be a lifeline. It’s very difficult to leave personal stresses at the office door, and visa versa, so providing employees with options to manage their concerns effectively is crucial to maintaining good mental health. Knowing that an employer has helped through a difficult time – be it with emotional, legal or financial support – has a knock-on effect with employer branding and loyalty too, as employees remember they were supported, rather than being left to fend for themselves