Five Indicators to Notice in an Employee's Behavior that Might Signal Mental Health Struggles at Work
In today's fast-paced work environment, the wellbeing of employees has become a crucial concern for businesses across the UK. Mental health issues such as stress, depression, and anxiety are significant problems in the workplace, with many employees experiencing high levels of stress and burnout.
Recent research indicates that burnout is costing UK businesses £102 billion annually, making mental wellbeing a business-critical priority. It is now the fourth most common reason for employees leaving their jobs in the UK, according to Tiger Recruitment's Salary and Benefits Review 2025.
The signs of an employee struggling with their mental health can be subtle but are essential to recognise to support employee wellbeing. Signs may include appearing tired, anxious, or withdrawn, struggling with everyday tasks, having difficulty concentrating on their tasks, losing interest or fulfilment in tasks that were once enjoyable, and a noticeable decline in enthusiasm and increased withdrawal from colleagues. Increased irritability or crying at work could also be indicators of mental health struggles.
To address these issues, effective strategies for managers include creating a healthy work culture that encourages open communication about stress, focusing on teamwork rather than competition. Managers should also encourage and enforce work-life balance policies, such as defining clear job hours, promoting breaks, allowing flexible work hours or remote work, and supporting employees in saying “no” to excess work or delegating tasks.
Regular, proactive communication is also crucial to identify burnout early, understand individual workload needs, and adjust expectations and responsibilities accordingly to avoid overwhelming employees. Providing autonomy balanced with support, careful scheduling practices, and promoting stress management strategies can further help managers respond to signs of burnout and mental health challenges.
Respecting employees’ off-hour obligations, such as recognising some may have second jobs or other life responsibilities, and aiming to accommodate these as much as possible to reduce overall stress, is also essential. Managers should be familiar with resources like employee assistance programmes (EAPs), mental health ambassadors, or external support networks.
A good manager should approach situations with empathy and create a safe, private space to talk with the employee. Listening without judgment helps the employee feel heard and supported, guiding the manager in taking the most appropriate next steps.
It is important to note that an employee who avoids social activities may be struggling with their mental health and may need support. Managers should be vigilant and proactive in reaching out to such employees to offer assistance and create a supportive work environment.
In conclusion, supporting employees' mental health is vital to avoid reduced productivity, increased sick days, and damage to retention rates. By implementing these strategies, businesses can foster a supportive, balanced, and flexible work environment, helping to prevent burnout and mental health challenges.
- To promote employee wellbeing and combat mental health issues within workplaces, it's essential to incorporate health-and-wellness programs that focus on mental health, such as stress management and personal-growth workshops, as a part of the education-and-self-development initiatives.
- By creating a science-based workplace-wellness program that incorporates these strategies, businesses can effectively support employees in their personal growth, improve their overall health-and-wellness, and contribute significantly to the reduction of mental health problems, thus boosting productivity and retention.
- To further contribute to this mission, businesses should work closely with mental health professionals to collaboratively develop and implement science-driven workplace-wellness programs that encourage open communication, work-life balance, and provide adequate support for employees dealing with mental health challenges, enhancing the quality of life for all employees within the organization.
