“Work is a rubber ball. If you drop it, it will bounce back. The other four balls—family, health, friends, and integrity—are made of glass. If you drop one of these, it will be irrevocably scuffed, nicked, perhaps even shattered.”
-Gary Keller

Employees in the United States are quitting their jobs voluntarily at a rate 25 percent higher since he pandemic. (Research in Australia, Canada, India, Singapore, the United Kingdom, and the United States by McKinsey & Company reveals that of employees that chose to quit their jobs from April 2020 to April 2022, 65 % did not return to the same industry.)
34 % of the workers who quit their jobs stated uncaring and uninspiring leaders.
29% of the workers state they are quitting due to unsustainable work expectations.
26 % of workers state a lack of support for health and wellbeing which is a direct reflection of their mental health.

If you feel like your job is killing you, you are not alone. I can hear your words now, “great, Apryl, but just knowing the stats doesn’t help me, what can I do about it?” I’m glad you asked, Begin here:

1. Personalize your space, but don’t clutter it. Keep an inspiring picture and inspiring quotes on your desk. Keep a go bag or briefcase with things that can go from work to home like snacks, drinks, and tools that are yours, but make work easier.
2. Start on time, quit on time, and take your breaks. Your employer is not your friend, and you do not owe them time off the clock. If your employer harasses you about productivity, document the conversation and send the email to yourself detailing the work, time frame, and what was said. You can use this later. Remember: If something isn’t documented and time stamped, it didn’t happen.
3. Make time to eat well, sleep well, exercise well, and socialize outside of work. Remember, your job/career is something you do to earn money to live, so live when you are not at work.
4. Meet with the employer to express your concerns, including ideas that will help improve the situation. For example: “My child’s school lets out at 12 every Wednesday afternoon and I don’t have a babysitter.” Could I adjust my hours by coming in earlier each day, so I can leave on Wednesday in order to be home with my child?”
5. Know your rights as an employee and be assertive, not aggressive, in getting what you need and are entitled. https://www.dol.gov/agencies/whd/compliance-assistance/handy-reference-guide-flsa
   

Inclusion: The identities of all employees are respected and valued. Employees have the opportunity to participate and contribute regardless of their identity.

Mental health is more than feeling happy or sad. It is about having the right tools for the job, being correctly trained, accessing workspace with dignity, connecting positively with other people, receiving the flexibility needed to manage home and work, receiving constructive feedback, and being fairly compensated.
Mental health is a long game, and it is rooted in the whole person.
Good mental health is related to retention, injury and loss, and productivity. People who are in a respected diverse work climate feel better connected, are more innovated, take pride in doing an excellent job, and grow in job performance. People who experience equity are more able and willing to work to their best ability. Good mental health is directly related to profit.

*The employee handbook should always include the following:
Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration National Number: 800-662-4357
National Suicide Prevention: 988
National Domestic Violence Hotline: 800-799-7233
SAMHSA National Distress Helpline: 800-985-5990
Rape Abuse and Incest National Network: 800-656-4673
LGBT National Hotline: 888-843-4564
Veterans Crisis Line: 800-273-8255
National Alliance on Mental Illness: 800-950-6264