In the busy world of manufacturing, where repetitive tasks, irregular shift patterns and safety concerns are part of the daily schedule, looking after your mental health often takes a back seat.
By having the right approach, your mental health doesn't have to take the backseat in your life. In our latest blog for Mental Health Awareness Week 2024, we look into the challenges faced by those working in the manufacturing industry, guiding how to create a workplace that prioritises employee mental health.
Challenges in the Workforce
Despite advances being made in technology in the manufacturing industry, many employees working in the sector resist working conditions and norms that affect their minds and bodies, Research has shown that those who work in the manufacturing industry are more likely to struggle with issues such as substance abuse, suicide and other detrimental mental health concerns.
Roles in the manufacturing industry involve repetitive, tedious and physically demanding tasks that must completed quickly. This work also involves dealing with safety hazards, irregular scheduling and worries about losing jobs. A combination of these factors can cause mental and physical exhaustion resulting in high stress levels, anxiety and lack of engagement in the workplace.
Challenges in Engagement
One of the main challenges of tackling mental health in manufacturing is a lack of awareness. As roles in manufacturing are largely Shiftwork and have limited HR communication channels, employees working in the sectors don't understand the scope of their benefits, and may have little time to ask questions. There are also language barriers, with some employees also not having access to the technology needed to look at the digital benefits platform.
There is a large barrier to improving mental health in the manufacturing industry, which is stigma. As manufacturing remains a male-dominated industry that usually prioritises safety concerns over mental health. Manufacturing is a high-pressure industry that focuses on keeping the production line going at any cost, which results in a culture that discourages employees from slowing down and asking for assistance and support for their mental health when needed.
Creating a Positive Culture Around Mental Health
It will inevitably take some time to see a large shift in how the manufacturing industry views mental health. Here are some steps you can take to create a culture in the workplace that erases the stigma around mental health.
Encourage employees to take regular breaks
In addition to mandatory breaks, you must encourage employees to take time for their mental and physical health every few hours. Have food in a dedicated break room and motivate employees to step outside for fresh air when they can.
Train managers on mental health awareness
It is vital to educate managers on the signs of those who display poor mental health, ensuring that mental health resources such as access to therapy or apps to support mental health are available to every employee, regardless of their location within the workplace.
Creating communities
Have opportunities for employees to connect and build relationships through having team lunches or social events during the working day/week. Using employee resource groups can also allow employees to meet other people who share the same experiences and challenges as them, making them feel less alone in their struggles.
The importance of employee surveys
It is important to show your employees you are listening to them and that their feedback is highly important. Have clear and confidential communication channels for them to express their concerns, ask for help and share their thoughts on mental health within the workplace and any other issues that they have.
Look at your employee assistance program
Re-evaluate your employee assistance program (EAP) as low engagement and utilisation of it may signify that you need to look at swapping to a different provider. It is important to look at EAPs that are user-friendly and provide proactive mental support and confidential counselling for those who face personal or work-related problems.
How E3 Recruitment can assist you in your mental health initiatives.
It is vital that employees in the workplace place feel they can have open communication with their employers, managers and team leaders. By having this open communication between employers and employees, you can have a more supportive workplace. Employees will be able to feel like they can openly talk about their emotions, creating a safe space for them to discuss their concerns. Workplaces that have open communications boost productivity, improve employee engagement, and strengthen their teams.
By working together we can provide simpler and more productive solutions. Through the introduction of new practices, we can break down the stigma that is attached to mental health in not only organisations but to the industry as a whole, amplifying the needs of people who keep the UK's manufacturing industry going.
At E3 Recruitment, we work with several organisations on improving their mental health initiatives, conducted through employee research, action plan creation and tracking the impact mental health initiatives have on employees in the workplace. By doing so, we can eliminate the stigma around mental health across the industry and create a far more supportive and safe environment for all.