Greater autonomy, inspirational leadership’ keys to happier employees
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Greater autonomy and inspirational leadership are the two non-financial keys to happier employees, especially during an economy crushing pandemic. This is according to leading Industrial Psychology and people management academic, Dr Mark Bussin who was speaking to the Business Hour on the importance of prioritising mental health in the work space. Dr Bussin, who is the Chair of 21st Century Pay solutions and the Executive member at South African Reward Association, cautions that whilst structure is very important in an organisation, micro-managing staff isn’t the key to success either - especially during a financially challenging period like the one faced by the world currently.
According to Alexander Forbes, “one in five people in the workplace experience a mental health condition, and while many employers are developing policies to support a healthy workforce, there is no shared vision for mental health in the workplace”. Bussin says it’s important for employers – executive management and the boards - to be aware of the importance of mental health in the workplace and its influence on profits.
He says if employers are aware of what is distressing their workforce, they can help come up with practical solutions to lighten the load, for example letting an overburdened parent work from home temporarily or refer employees to professional psychologists for mental issues and sending them to financial advisors for assistance on issues of debt.
He says awareness gets the ball rolling on making sure employees are happy in the workplace and inspired to work harder.
Bussin, who is well known for setting the salaries of former South African President, Jacob Zuma and the Chief Executive Officers of companies listed on the Johannesburg Stock Exchange, says “our leaders need to understand, that if you’re pushing people over the edge with their mental health, you won’t achieve your strategy”. He says healthy and confident employees end up with higher profits.
According to Alexander Forbes, “one in five people in the workplace experience a mental health condition, and while many employers are developing policies to support a healthy workforce, there is no shared vision for mental health in the workplace”. Bussin says it’s important for employers – executive management and the boards - to be aware of the importance of mental health in the workplace and its influence on profits.
He says if employers are aware of what is distressing their workforce, they can help come up with practical solutions to lighten the load, for example letting an overburdened parent work from home temporarily or refer employees to professional psychologists for mental issues and sending them to financial advisors for assistance on issues of debt.
He says awareness gets the ball rolling on making sure employees are happy in the workplace and inspired to work harder.
Bussin, who is well known for setting the salaries of former South African President, Jacob Zuma and the Chief Executive Officers of companies listed on the Johannesburg Stock Exchange, says “our leaders need to understand, that if you’re pushing people over the edge with their mental health, you won’t achieve your strategy”. He says healthy and confident employees end up with higher profits.
