Workplace Policies and Their Impact on Employee Mental Health 

The mental well-being of an employee and, thus the welfare, is profoundly influenced by workplace policies. The better, the more inclusive its design, the more effective at producing a wholesome environment for work, reducing stress levels, and boosting  productivity, whereas ineffective and terrible designs are the causes of burning the staff out, anxieties, and dissatisfaction. 

There is a huge debate on issues of workplace policies in India for the last few years regarding how policies affect employees’ mental health. As awareness increases and organizational culture undergoes change, companies of all industries slowly realize that mental well-being is necessary. It’s no more optional; rather, in an ever-competitive work environment, adopting policies effective in considering employees’ mental well-being is  must. This article deals with the major workplace policies influencing mental health in Indian organizations, their impact, and the way forward. 

Workplace Policies and Their Impact 

1. Flexible Work Arrangements 

Policies in India: Post COVID-19, most organizations, especially in metropolitan cities such as Mumbai, Delhi, and Bengaluru, have adopted hybrid work-models, flexible timings, or remote working options. 

It offers great relief from the time pressure that is lost to the traffic congestions in the commuting cities while working. Work arrangements flexibility increases the potential of working women and their caregivers. It helps strike an ideal balance between their professional responsibilities and personal responsibilities. This balance allows them to manage both aspects of their lives more effectively.

2. Leave Policies India 

Maternity Benefit (Amendment) Act, 2017: Paid leave up to 26 weeks during maternity. Paternity leave however is pathetic and it is increasing. Some companies have mental health leaves nowadays. 

Workability: They will pay only maternity leave. That way, one will encourage care and recovery post-delivery. Quality paternity leave at the same scale is missing for equal division of care. Mental health leaves, though a wonderful thing, are a practice merely due to the stigma still prevailing. 

3. Anti-Discrimination and Inclusivity 

Indian Policies: Sexual Harassment of Women at Workplace Act 2013 has provided a chance to have in house Complaint Committee. 

Effects of which make women feel secure some extent, more in workplaces but it will be uniformity as homogeneously, mainly small-level and the unorganized one fails in providing. 

4. Mental Health Support 

Indian Policies: Major IT firms TCS, Infosys and Wipro provide EAP. Start-ups are also doing more, as adding such benefits for their employees from these days’ HR policies. 

Implications: EAPs reveal the needs of employees in terms of counselling and stress management resources. However, such facilities are not easily accessible at small  organizations and are often not availed due to ignorance or stigma 

5. Reasonable Load and Expectations 

Ground Reality in India: A lot of the “hustle culture” in IT and consulting and finance industries brings along long working hours. 

Impact: Younger working professionals face burnout more often due to increased work pressure over long periods of time. Combating this can be done through proper management of workload and frequent encouragement of breaks. 

6. Workplace Wellness Programs 

Policies in India: Organizations conduct yoga classes, wellness seminars, and mind training periodically.

Efficiency: Indian organizations enforce the local culture of the nation such as yoga to build healthy minds of the workers. However, these are primarily experienced in large  corporations and these hardly reach the workforce of the small businesses. 

7. Career Growth and Development Opportunities 

Indian Policies: Infosys and Reliance offer the process of employee training programs  and mentoring along with up-skilling. 

Impact: In such a program, participation can be improved, but an unsupported up-skilling  process generates stress factors. 

8. Open Communication Channels 

Policies in India: The mechanism of feedback, town halls, and the grievance redressal  system is being followed gradually. 

Impact: Such programs create openness and trust in the big organizations. However, the  smaller ones do not have well-organized ways of communicating to the employees. 

Read More: Do You Think You Work Better Under Pressure?

Challenges in India 

1. Stigma About Mental Health: The stigma attached to mental health in the workplace keeps most people from seeking  help. 
2. No Standardized Implementation: Policies in formal sectors are strong; however, nearly no implementation of such policies  in the informal sector that makes up many workers in any country exists. 
3. Culture: Traditional thinking in people often focuses on the work to be done rather than the mental  well-being of the individual and hampers the implementation of policies that are  employee-friendly. 

Read More: 7 Ways Organizational Psychologists Boost Workplace Productivity

Government Initiatives 

1. Mental Health Care Act, 2017: It gives the right to treatment for mental health and does not permit discrimination. 
2. Labour Codes: They are meant to make employee welfare easy, though its deployment has not been that  smooth. 

Best Indian Organization Practices 

1. Tech Giants: Companies like Google India and Infosys have created a brilliant wellness program with  provisions for sessions in therapy. 
2. Startups: Companies like Zomato and Swiggy came up with quirky benefits that include the  paternity leaves and even the mental health days at work. 
3. Public Sector: Some government organizations have started including stress management workshops and yoga programs in their employee welfare programs. 

Challenges of Poor Policies 

Overemphasizing productivity without considering the well-being of employees can have severe consequences for both individuals and organizations. When workplaces focus solely on output, pushing employees to work long hours or meet unrealistic targets, it often leads to burnout. Employees who feel pressured to constantly perform at high levels without adequate support or recovery time may experience physical and emotional exhaustion, leading to reduced productivity, lower job satisfaction, and eventually, burnout.

Read More: How to Deal with Office Politics?

Additionally, poor mental health support within organizations can significantly impact employee retention and attendance. Without access to proper mental health resources or an environment that prioritizes psychological well-being, employees may struggle with stress, anxiety, or depression, which can increase absenteeism. In more severe cases, employees may leave the organization altogether, resulting in higher turnover rates. This not only disrupts the workflow but also incurs significant costs related to recruitment, training, and lost productivity.

Inequitable policies in the workplace can further exacerbate these issues. When employees perceive that certain groups are favored or that mental health is not equally prioritized across all levels, resentment can build. This sense of unfairness can lead to disengagement and detachment, with employees feeling disconnected from the company’s values and goals. Inequitable policies can create an environment where morale and trust are eroded, ultimately impacting the organization’s culture, teamwork, and overall success. By fostering a more supportive, inclusive, and balanced approach, businesses can promote long-term employee well-being and create a healthier, more productive work environment.

Read More: How to Promote Mental Health among Employees?

Practices for improving workplace Policies  

To effectively address mental health in the workplace, several strategies and policies need to be implemented. First, mental health awareness can be promoted through workshops and initiatives designed to eliminate the stigma surrounding mental health. This can help create an environment where employees feel comfortable discussing their challenges and seeking support. Additionally, mental health should be extended to employees’ insurance coverage, ensuring that mental health services are accessible and affordable. This is especially important for small businesses and rural areas, where access to mental health services may be limited. Companies can also focus on the harmonization of policies, ensuring that all sectors adopt antidiscrimination policies and wellness programs with equal importance. Feedback from employees is essential in driving the right changes to workplace policies, allowing for a more supportive environment.

Managers play a crucial role in fostering a mentally healthy workplace. Training on mental health should be provided to both managers and employees, helping them identify and respond to mental illness cases effectively. It is also important to ensure the equal distribution of workload, where deadlines are met without compromising the work-life balance of employees. Finally, cultivating a good work culture is essential, where mental health is integrated into daily discussions, and a supportive, amicable atmosphere is developed. This approach can help create a mentally healthy workplace that supports both individual well-being and organizational success.

Conclusion

Work policies will determine the mental well-being of the employees to a great extent. No  doubt, many things are being done in India, but much more needs to be done. Employers must work on mental health actively and positively with well-designed policies, open  discussion, and a comprehensive support system so that organizations do not only bet  better on the well-being of their employees but also productivity, loyalty, and overall  harmony. 

It is a call for morality and a winning advantage in this competitive world to have a mentally  healthy workplace.