KUALA LUMPUR: Employers have been told to prioritise mental health in the workplace to enhance workforce productivity.
Alliance for A Safe Community chairman Tan Sri Lee Lam Thye said the productivity of staff in any organisation rests on their mental well being, and called on employers to take further initiatives to care for the mental health of their employees.
"Employees should be provided with more opportunities for mental health awareness and education to better cope with work stress and psychosocial problems.
"Programmes or activities promoting mental health at the workplace should aim to create a mentally and physically healthier workforce which is more positive and productive," he said in a statement today.
In cases where employees experience mental disorders or illnesses, Lee stressed the need for employers to provide assistance through counselling and psychological first aid.
He highlighted that neglecting mental health and psychosocial factors in the workplace not only harms individual workers, but also affects the productivity, efficiency, and output of enterprises.
Employee performance, frequent illness, absenteeism, accidents, and staff turnover are all influenced by employees' mental health status, he added.
"Mental health issues in the workplace can directly impact all stakeholders, including employers, customers, and the local community. No workplace is immune to mental disorders, and their psychological, social, and economic impact is significant," Lee warned.
He stressed also that mental health should no longer be overlooked and must receive adequate attention alongside other business priorities within organisations.
