If a person showed up at work with a broken leg, we would say "Go home.
If they were coming with a broken spirit we'd probably say to them "push through".
It's an indication of what we believe about health.
The pain is apparent physically. The crutches, the bandages or the cast are visible to people. Mental fatigue, however, does not generally make its presence known. It covers up with smiling as though everything is fine even if it isn't, with finished work, and with the common refrain "I am fine".
That's why, I think, the discussion about mental-health days is long overdue.
There have been a number of changes in the workplace. It is now known that productivity is not solely driven by the amount of time the humans spend at their desks. Also, it's about their work ethic, clear thinking, problem solving, and working cooperatively with others.
When people's mental health is in distress, all of these things is affected.
So I do believe that employees do deserve mental health days, Not because they should have more time off but because they should have time to catch up before they experience burnout.
Burnout doesn't occur in one day.
It builds quietly.
The beginning is bad sleep.
Then constant fatigue.
Then irritability.
Then losing motivation to work what you used to love to do.
Then, even simple things start to get on top of them.
At this stage, recovery may last longer than a day or two.
Prevention is important, which is why.
Some people believe that if mental health days were instituted they would be misused.
I'm feeling your pain.
Even with any system there will always be some people who abuse it!
This is also true for sick leave, annual leave or even flexible working.
But I don't want to deter the creation of policies that benefit the majority because of the possibility of misuse.
If we did not approve any of the positive policies for fear that some people would use them badly, there would be no workplace benefits today!
The truth is that the solution isn't to not allow everyone the opportunity but to create a culture of trust and accountability.
Managers need to be familiar with their staff so that they are able to detect performance and behaviour change on one hand, and On the other hand, employees should feel comfortable enough to acknowledge when they're facing challenges because they don't want to be considered lazy or unreliable.
Such a work environment is good for all.
In my opinion, I think that mental health days should not be used as an excuse of not doing things.
A day to recharge is not a day in bed and a day off work.
You don't need to avoid work.
The objective is to come back it healthier, more concentrated and more able than when they left it.
In some instances, the best thing that an employer can do is to let an employee take some time off.
It is often better to do more than an exhausted mind.
Here's another reason to favour this notion.
Our work environments can take up a tremendous amount of our lives, so I believe that If workplaces value deadlines, performance, and the long-term success, they should value the people who make it happen.
Of course, businesses don't get burned out!
People do
I don't believe that mental health days are meant for providing more time off for employees.
They are learning to appreciate the importance of their mental health and wellbeing being equal to physical health and wellbeing.
The best teams are not made when you challenge them to their limits.
They are constructed from an understanding of when people need to take a break, get better and return with vigor.
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