Emotional well-being of employees as a strategy for improving productivity and the work environment

Photo: Sofía Soria and Ane Gómez, psychology graduates from the University of Navarra, who have completed their internship project at Gurpea.

"Addressing employee mental health is critical for any modern company. It's not just a matter of personal well-being, but a smart strategy for improving productivity and the work environment. An employee who feels supported in their mental health is more engaged, creative and less likely to suffer from stress or burnout."

This is how Sofia Soria and Ana Gómez argue the importance of addressing the mental health of employees on a daily basis in the company, in this interview we conducted on the occasion of the World Week for Safety and Health at Work.

Sofía and Ana have a degree in Psychology from the University of Navarra and, in line with the labor welfare plan being developed by Gurpea, they have worked in the area of emotional health, with the aim of evaluating and proposing actions to promote the emotional, psychological and social health of their workers. This is an aspect of growing impact in the business world, as it influences both good interpersonal relations and productivity at work.

Q. What tools have you based your study on? 

Our study was based on a report previously carried out in Gurpea. Our work consisted of analyzing the data, highlighting good practices that are already in place, and assessing areas for improvement.

Q. What are the main benefits of working on well-being and emotional management for the company?

Investing in workplace wellness can have multiple benefits for a company: it promotes an environment where employees feel valued and supported, resulting in higher productivity and lower staff turnover. 

Companies that invest in the well-being of their employees tend to have lower turnover rates, as workers tend to stay longer.

In addition, promoting the physical and mental health of workers reduces absenteeism and the costs associated with medical care. 

Q. What about for employees?

Investing in workplace wellness provides employees with the tools and support they need to improve their physical and mental health, as well as to properly balance their work and personal lives. 

This not only increases their job satisfaction, but also strengthens their engagement and reduces stress in the workplace, creating a more positive and productive work environment overall.

Q. What do you see as the main barriers to the company "landing" emotional wellness care for its employees?

The main barriers include the stigma around mental health, the lack of specific training for leaders, and the perception that these initiatives are costly and secondary. Overcoming these barriers requires ongoing education and testimonials of success.

P.  In the context of this project, you have organized workshops on stress management, how have employees received this initiative?

The acceptance has been remarkably positive, reflecting a growing recognition of the importance of mental well-being. The two sessions, working in small groups, reminded employees and the company how important it is to take care of oneself, not only in the physical area, in order to be well at work, with colleagues and to be productive. They have felt comfortable and have opened the way for future actions.

Q. What was the main objective of this session?

Our objective was, on the one hand, to help recognize the signs of stress, which we often internalize and assume to be normal in our daily lives. 

And, on the other hand, to focus on detecting the origin of that stress. On many occasions, we cannot eliminate it, but we do have tools to prevent it and/or manage it. We have put them on the table and everyone can try and choose the ones that work for them. 

Q. Four simple recommendations for employees to improve their emotional well-being on a daily basis.

Taking active breaks to stretch or meditate, using breathing techniques to reduce stress, spending time walking or doing any activity in green spaces to disconnect and communicating doubts or concerns openly are small actions that can significantly improve employee well-being. 

Q. And your proposals for Gurpea?

Within the framework of the Program for Workplace Wellness that the company is already developing, we recommend prioritizing the emotional area as key to its success and that of its employees.

The implementation of a comprehensive wellness strategy as such would include:

• Wellness Policies: develop and implement transparent and understandable wellness policies that encompass physical, mental and emotional aspects, ensuring a safe and healthy work environment.
• Strengthen Empathetic Leadership: By training team leaders to foster a supportive and communicative environment.
• Work Environment Assessment: Conduct regular evaluations through surveys and feedback to identify areas for improvement and adjust wellness policies according to employees' needs.
• Train and insist on the importance of employee ergonomics to promote their physical health.