Workplace Wellness Q&A

What should I do if I think an employee is having a mental health crisis?

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The Canadian Federation of Independent Business (CFIB) can provide advice on managing wellness in the workplace, but we are not mental health experts. If you need an expert in this area or other support, here are some resources you can reach out to:

If an individual is in crisis and could harm themselves or others, call 911.

The Crisis Services Canada helpline is 1-833-456-4566 or you can text 45645 (except Quebec)

In Quebec, call 1-866-277-3553

Encourage the employee to seek medical help, either through their family physician or a mental health professional. If your company offers an EAP (Employee Assistance Program) the employee can use that to access mental health aid.

Why is wellness important in the workplace?

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By initiating and encouraging discussion around wellness, employees feel empowered to make decisions that will help reduce the stress they experience in the workplace. Wellness in the workplace improves morale and productivity and reduces absenteeism.

How can I promote wellness in the workplace?

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  • Provide healthy snacks
  • Ensure easy access to drinking water
  • Encourage employees to step away from their workspace at break times
  • Ensure employees take their vacation time
  • Put a Disconnecting from Work policy in place. Click hereInformation of Blog for a free template
  • Offer an Employee Assistance Program (EAP)
  • Reduce the stigma around discussing mental health
  • Offer flexible work schedules and arrangements, e.g., working from home. Read more here Information of Blog
  • Encourage employees to eat healthily and to get enough rest
  • Put up workplace wellness posters encouraging mindfulness, respectfulness, and tension release exercises. 

Our article Introducing wellness into the workplace provides more insight into how you can get buy-in from staff and management.

What’s the difference between stress and burnout?

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Stress is when you have too many demands and expectations placed on you – but you know there will be an end to it, and once the situation changes you will feel better. Burnout is caused by long-term untreated stress, making you feel empty and disengaged.

Our blog post Burnout: what it is and how to deal with it talks about the causes and symptoms of burnout and provides suggestions for how to prevent it.

Do I need a Respectful Workplace Statement?

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A Respectful Workplace Statement clearly lays out your company culture and the work environment you want to foster, helping employees to feel respected and valued.

You can learn more about why you should have a Respectful Workplace Statement in our blog, Respectful Workplace Statement: Building loyalty, value, and morale

Click here Information of Blog to access our Respectful Workplace Statement template and accompanying poster.

What is pandemic fatigue?

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Pandemic fatigue is a type of burnout that is specific to the conditions placed on us by the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic. Pandemic Fatigue may include feelings of fatigue, frustration, anxiety, loneliness, and demotivation.

Our blog, Pandemic Fatigue: more than a typical bad day at work, breaks down the symptoms of pandemic fatigue and provides tips on recognizing those symptoms in yourself and others.

While the Canadian Federation of Independent Business (CFIB) does not have mental health experts on staff, our Advisors can provide members advice on managing wellness in the workplace. CFIB supports 97,000 members across the country with advice, savings, and advocacy.
With a CFIB membership, you get:

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Advice & Resources

More resources to deal with the daily challenges of running your business.

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Savings

More savings on business services, from health insurance to payroll processing, and much more.

Advocacy

Advocacy

A strong voice at all levels of government, including our work to raise the profile of small business and wellness, so your business can thrive.