Why It’s More Critical Than Ever to Support Mental Health and How Insurers Can Help
Intentionally promoting inclusivity can help you tap into a larger talent pool, too. One in six people has a disability, meaning millions of applicants are looking for workspaces that can support their needs.
Even simple changes, like purchasing ergonomic office supplies, can make a world of difference to employees with disabilities. Just be sure to follow up with feedback-driven changes, as each employee has different needs.
Mental Health
When most business leaders picture an employee with disabilities, they think of someone who has a mobility disability. While adjusting to support employees with mobility disabilities is important, you should also account for the mental health needs of your employees.
This is particularly important if an employee has undergone a traumatic incident and sustained an injury. You can support the mental health needs of employees with injuries by bringing in expert help. Mental health professionals can work with physicians to improve employee morale and create a treatment plan focused on acceptance and growth. You can also work with your employees to set realistic and manageable goals as they recover from injury and reintegrate back into the workforce.
Providing mental health support can help you close the inclusion gap at work. Being able to speak to a professional can empower employees and help them advocate for themselves. This is key if you plan on collecting feedback, as you need folks to feel safe enough to come forward with their honest opinions.
Ergonomics
Broadly speaking, an ergonomic setup can improve productivity by helping folks achieve perfect posture while working. That’s because ergonomics reduces the risk of injury by minimizing strain on the body. You can encourage employees to adopt an ergonomic setup by:
- Introducing regular screen breaks every 20 minutes;
- Teaching folks how to stretch to relieve the effects of sitting;
- Embrace movement by moving away from the desk at least once every half-hour.
This is key for folks who work at a desk, as uncomfortable setups will put a crick in anyone’s neck, cause stiffness, and lead to repetitive strain injuries. Ergonomics is particularly important for employees with disabilities, and you can provide them with adjustable desks, drawers, and screens to fit their specific needs. You can even find customizable keyboard trays to support folks who may benefit from a different posture while seated at a desk.
Assistive technology like screen readers and voice recognition software can minimize strain and help employees achieve peak productivity, too. Learning about assistive technology is crucial if you want to hire folks with disabilities, as employees shouldn’t have to make their own adjustments. By learning about assistive tech and ergonomics, you show that you truly care about your work culture and are ready to support all employees.
Benefits
A robust benefits package is worth its weight in gold when hiring and managing employees with disabilities. Investing in disability insurance has a range of benefits, including:
- Protects income should employees be unable to work;
- Improves loyalty among employees;
- Gives workers peace of mind and improves productivity.
Disability insurance is cost-effective, too. The average plan costs just $0.11 per hour or $222 per year. It’s also the right thing to do, as many employees are left scrambling if their disability undermines their ability to work.
You can further support staff with disabilities by offering flexible work schedules. This frees up time for important activities like attending physio sessions and ensures that your employees are not under pressure to beat the rush hour before work. A flexible work schedule can give folks greater control over where they work, too. This can be transformative if employees prefer to work from home for a portion of the week. By offering flexible work, you empower your employees and give them time to take care of their own needs.
Conclusion
Supporting your employees properly can improve workplace productivity and help you attract talented applicants. Creating a more inclusive environment is relatively easy, too. Focus on working with employees to better understand their needs and make strategic accommodations based on their feedback. You can also make operational changes, like offering flexible hours, to empower your staff and ensure everyone can receive the support they need.
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