A call has been made for employers to foster emotional wellness in the workplace as a means of increasing productivity, reducing illnesses and building motivation.

Making the call, director of mental health and substance abuse services, Ministry of Health and Wellness, Dr Kevin Goulbourne said employees spend a lot of time at the workplace, and if the environment is unhealthy this can result in negative outcomes.

“If the workplace is very toxic it can cause emotional unwellness; decrease productivity; cause absenteeism, high turnover of the staff population; and people become demotivated and disengaged,” he said.

Dr Goulbourne was speaking with JIS News at the opening of a three-day mental health conference last Friday at AC Hotel Kingston.

Emotional wellness refers to the ability to regulate emotions to cope with the stresses and strains of everyday life and work while emotional health in the workplace is essential for a thriving organisation, he pointed out.

Employees with high levels of emotional well-being may be more productive, engaged, and take fewer sick days.

Dr Goulbourne said it is important that at all levels of the workplace, managers and supervisors are equipped with soft skills.

“They must know how to speak to their employees, how to engage them and get them engaged in what is happening in their workplaces,” he said, noting that it has been proven that when workers are involved in decision-making they are more accepting of changes.

“When things are handed down it creates resentment and resistance, even though it might be a good decision,” he argued.

He noted further that when illness occurs persons must feel that they can receive support and space to recover, including taking time off from work.

At the same time, consultant psychiatrist Dr Earl Wright said emotional intelligence is a “critical skill” that leaders of the workplace need to have so that, “you can lead and foster collaboration at the workplace”.

“If you are emotionally intelligent your workplace stress will be reduced and the environment will become more positive. It will increase adaptability in complex and emotionally charged situations, and you will be better able to encourage conflict resolution and develop team harmony,” Dr Wright said.

The conference was part of activities to observe Mental Health Awareness Week, from October 6 to 12, under the theme ‘Prioritising Mental Health in the Workplace’.