Kick start your workplace wellbeing this Small Business Month

Getting your head around mental health in the workplace  

As a small business owner, you’d know better than most the challenges that come with running a business. Financial pressures, high work demands, potential for longer hours, and increased pressure to work when you are sick are just some of the factors that can lead to poor mental health and burnout.  

Under these conditions, employee wellbeing can be overlooked. This can result in growing absenteeism and presenteeism, higher staff turnover and lower productivity, all of which have a negative impact on the workplace.  

But these risk factors can be mitigated by implementing programs in the workplace that are designed to promote, manage and support mental health. And the good news is that they don’t need to be time-consuming or costly. 

Mentally healthy workplaces deliver big benefits for small businesses 

A mentally healthy workplace benefits every employee and every business, no matter the size or industry, including: 

• Return on investment: Our 2017 NSW study found that there is a positive return on investment for providing a workplace health promotion program. For small and medium businesses, the return is $2.86 for every dollar invested. 
• Attract and retain good staff: Research shows that working in an environment that is mentally healthy is the second most important factor when looking for a job. Workers are also less likely to change jobs. 
• Reduced absenteeism: Workers take less time off, which saves your business money. 
• Increased productivity: In mentally healthy workplaces, workers are more committed to their organisation and doing their best work. 
• Competitive advantage: Make your workplace an employer of choice where there is a great culture and people want be part of your business. 

Mentally healthy workplaces can also provide workers with many benefits such as confidence, a feeling of belonging, financial security, a sense of purpose, achievement and social connections and networks. These benefits can flow back into the business in many ways including increased productivity, reduced injuries and positive workplace culture.  
 

All the support you need  

Building a mentally healthy small business begins with awareness, ensuring people have the right information and support systems available. Here are a few resources to get you started. 

Free coaching service 

With our free one-on-one Direct Practical Coaching service, our coaches can help you kick start your business mental health action plan with tailored solutions. With a few hours invested you can reap long term benefits. 

Take a 5-minute pulse check 

You can quickly and easily find out how mentally healthy your workplace is with the Workplace Pulse Check. It will give you a report that compares your business to others of a similar size and sector and then give you advice on the actions you can take to support mental health in your workplace.  

Resource kits 

Our small business resource kit will help you champion the mental health of your team. It contains useful tools and tips you need to create a mentally healthy small business.  Our policy resource kit makes it easy for you develop essential policies tailored to your business to help embed real change.

Free small business workshops 

Build a mentally healthy workplace and give your team the tools to thrive. In partnership with Black Dog institute we're providing free mental health workshops this March to eligible small businesses.
 
The dedicated workshops are tailored to small business and are designed to support you with practical advice so you can create a positive and engaged workplace.

Leading a Mentally Healthy Workplace

For small business owners and leaders.

Available workshops:

• 11 March: Jindabyne – face to face  
• 23 March: Tamworth – face to face 
• 25 March: Online 

Your Mental Health at Work 

For small business employees and volunteers.

Available workshops:

• 11 March: Jindabyne – face to face  
• 30 March: Online  
   

Register now
 

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