Mental health, the culture of organizations, like ethics and valuesand commitment to leadership are the dimensions that reveal the greatest risk for a healthy work environment, according to a study released this Wednesday.
This analysis by the Portuguese Laboratory of Healthy Work Environments (LABPATS), in which more than 4,300 participants participated, concluded that the culture of organizations is the dimension that most affects a healthy work environment, and experts highlight that concern for health The well-being and health of professionals and the organization “must be in the ‘DNA’” of companies.
“What we have noticed is that, many times, there is an external image of well-being, because today the topic of well-being and mental health ends up being fashionable, and Organizations, if asked, respond that this is something important. (…). But, then, in the strategic plans and in the culture transmitted to the new leaders and new professionals, that is not reflected,” explained the coordinator of the study, Tânia Gaspar de Matos.
The psychologist, founder of LABPATS, highlighted: “It is essential that in the various policies [das organizações]from selection of people, integration and election of the leaders themselves, “Everything has to be conveyed very clearly.”
Regarding the culture of organizations, he points out that the perception of safety and justice is fundamental for the well-being of professionals: “It is important that workers feel that they are safe and that they can participate, that they can give their opinion. “, that they have clear and transparent channels in this regard and that they have the confidence to do so, without thinking that they may be harmed.”
The researcher recognized that organizations “They end up having a lot of difficulty implementing these measures, because most are worried about responding to immediate needs”.
Defending the need for organizations to have a more strategic vision of their functioning, Tânia Gaspar de Matos recommends that “they must have two types of leaders”: “One who is more linked to the day-to-day operational part, which is important ( …) and another that I had a more strategic vision”who knew how to have a global vision of the entire organization and had time to look at those details and make a plan so that the message of mental health and well-being is transmitted clearly to all employees, with a strong focus on leaders.”
The expert also highlighted that, according to the data collected, “Public administration organizations have worse results than private ones”.
“There is a dynamic here in the public administration that makes the implementation of new measures difficult. This vision that we have to stop, look and change what needs to be changed is very difficult. [de o fazer] in public administration,” he stated.
According to the data from the LABPATS study, despite being slightly lower, the data related to mental health is still worrying:three out of four (76%) professionals They present at least one symptom of burnout and almost half (48%) show three symptoms (exhaustion, irritability and sadness).
More than half of professionals report that they do not have the necessary skills to manage stressful situations, such as the perception of control and confidence in their abilities, and more than a third engage in unhealthy behaviors.
Almost half (46%) do not exercise and 35% have poor sleeping habits. There are still about 25% taking psychotropic medications.
Women are at greater risk in terms of mental health. They are the ones who show the greatest involvement, but also the ones who are the least assertive about their needs.
In a healthy work environment, what professionals value most is autonomy, flexibility (work-life balance), transparency and the existence of “close and fair leadership” that values their work and promotes professional development.
Concern for mental health and activities to promote well-being and positive interpersonal relationships among colleagues are also valued.
The Portuguese Laboratory of Healthy Work Environments studies the health and well-being of professionals and organizations in a deep and systematic way, contributing to intervention and definition of policies in these two areas.
Source: Observadora
