Finding an Employer That Truly Cares About Mental and Physical Health

Everybody wants to find a workplace that values its employees and provides a healthy working environment. However, 93% of Americans suffer from work-related stress and millions more live in constant financial anxiety due to inadequate access to disability coverage.

If this combination of stress and inadequate support sounds familiar, then you should know that you’re not alone. Across the US, workers are partaking in a “great resignation,” as they look to find better workplaces.

However, if it’s been a while since your last job search, you’ll probably notice that things have changed. In the current recruiting climate, savvy recruiters know how to “look” good but might be working for a company that does not support authentic diversity and inclusion accommodations that promote mental and physical health.

Here are a few ways you can optimize your next job search to ensure you connect with an employer that cares about you and your health.

Inclusion

Your first search terms should find jobs that are relevant to you and your skills. This will likely generate a shortlist of employers who match your profile. But, before you start applying, you can whittle this list of potential employers down by doing some background research through their website. In particular, you’ll want to look out for the following signs of inclusive workplaces:

Where do they recruit? If a company directly advertises on job boards for disabled applicants, you can feel confident that they have a forward-thinking approach to disability in the workplace.
What are their work arrangements? Research shows that 70% of workers with disabilities want to telecommute. This is because you may need time off from work, or are among the thousands of workers who do not have adequate access to transport.
What programs do they run? Employers that care about your mental and physical health will often show that commitment through workplace schemes that give you access to better healthcare or perks like personal training.

Finding an inclusive workplace can make a huge difference to your mental and physical health. You’ll feel confident that you can take time off when you need it, and won’t have to deal with managers who are insensitive or ignorant of the challenges that you may face.

Follow Community Leaders

A new form of leadership that utilizes community leaders is gaining traction across the nation. These community leaders are usually well attuned to the needs of marginalized groups and are typically from diverse backgrounds themselves. By seeking out community leaders in your town and city, you may improve your chances of finding an employer who can meet your needs.

During your next job search, it’s worth getting in contact with community leaders through social media to see if they recommend certain employers who are known to prioritize the mental and physical health of their employees. Or, if you’re a little too introverted to reach out, you can always look at community leaders’ recent work to see if they’ve connected with an employer from your industry.

If you aren’t aware of the community leaders in your area, but still want to join a company that privileges community leadership, you should simply ask the hiring manager about their guest speakers and community engagement. Asking hiring managers directly will give you an insight into a firm’s beliefs and values.

Beliefs and Values

When applying to a business, you should pay close attention to the language used in recruitment adverts, and should key into any word choices that reflect your beliefs and values. If you can’t find any companies which seem to align with your values, it may be worth considering a change to a new career that aligns with your beliefs.

Knowing that your career aligns with your beliefs can help you feel proud about the work you do, and will ensure that you feel content even at the hardest of times. If you’re not sure about how to a new career that aligns with your beliefs, you can consider joining professional associations and should look out for key phrases in recruitment copy.

For example, if you are particularly interested in finding an employer that values your mental and physical health, then you should look out for any phrases or passages which reference this, like:

Does the employer mention services like counseling?
Do they make a clear commitment to work/life balance?
Have they won awards for workplace conditions or benefit programs?
Do they offer Flexi-work options?

Adverts that don’t contain these features should be seen as red flags as they probably won’t provide the support you desire, and will be unlikely to care about your mental and physical health.

Now is a great time to find an employer that truly cares about your physical and mental health. Industries are recovering from the pandemic, and new openings are being listed every day. Just be sure to thoroughly research businesses before you apply, and pay particular attention to the commitments your potential employer has made to promoting a healthy workplace.