Managing staff mental health - in the Wall Street Journal

In this article from The Wall Street Journal, I mention that making time for mental health is paramount for staff, although I recognize some careers make this easier than others. As a marketer, my work isn't life-or-death; I am not in a patient-facing role or the military. The tips provided are based on my experience in white-collar office roles.

Here are a few tips that didn't make it into the article.

1.  Set boundaries at work. Typically, good work is rewarded with more work. That’s great! However, be sure to ask for help when needed, and that your title and compensation are in line with increasing responsibilities.

2.  The majority of people I’ve worked with are proud of their work and strive to do their best. This is true across ALL generations. There may be people who do the bare minimum, but this hasn’t been my experience. If you notice employees disengaging, talk to them. There may be a personal problem they are dealing with.

3.  If you are continually working above and beyond, and it gives you energy and purpose, go for it. But if you are doing so with the expectation that it will result in advancement, and that’s not happening, ask yourself why you are continuing to push so hard and if your current company is where you should be. This is where quiet quitting comes in. It’s not doing the bare minimum, rather, it’s taking a step back from the constant push, which is unsustainable for most of us.

4.  If you are unhappy with your job and constantly complaining, but not doing anything to create a solution, that’s on you.  Seek out new responsibilities, talk with your boss, accept you are unhappy but you need a paycheck just like everyone else (and stop complaining – this affects you more than you know), or look for a new job.