6 Supportive Steps

Even though you may not be able to provide direct treatment to an employee with anxiety, there are several ways in which you can take the pressure off individuals to prevent making their condition worse. Here are six practical steps you can take to create a supportive workspace:

1. Educate Yourself

The first step in supporting employees with anxiety is to educate yourself about the condition. Having a general understanding around what anxiety is and how it affects individuals can help in creating a supportive workplace. Encourage your managers and colleagues to take up mental health training programmes to enhance your knowledge and learn new skills.

2. Open Door Policy

Introducing an open-door creates a welcoming, workplace culture to encourage employees to communicate openly with their line managers. Adopting an open-door policy will make employees with anxiety and other mental health issues feel heard and supported, overall preventing the worsening of their condition.

3. Flexible Working

Consider offering flexible working arrangements to accommodate employees who require support, such as flexible hours or the option to work from home, which can greatly benefit employees with anxiety. This allows the individual to have control over their work environment and can reduce their stress levels.

4. Employee Assistance Programme (EAP)

Offer your employees access to an EAP for mental health support and resources. If an employee is struggling to cope with their anxiety, provide them with counselling via the EAP to help them learn coping methods.