The biggest advantage of small teams is their ability to deal with issues as they occur. If you have a few basic processes in place then there’s no need for things to ‘go wrong’ in the first place.
Set Up a Regular One-to-One
Set up a 1-1 on a regular basis (fortnightly) to give employees an opportunity to speak about any concerns before they become a major issue. The template below will serve as a guide for your 1-1s and remember the most important thing is to be consistent. It doesn’t have to be long but it does have to be regular.
Agree a Clear Return-to-Work Process
If someone has been off with a mental health problem there is nothing as daunting as the day they return to work. Unexpected contact on their return can be overwhelming. Agree with the individual a structured return to work. This can be a phased return over a few days. Set out who they should first contact and the temporary changes that will be in place to help them return to work.
Build a Signposting Sheet
Compile a signposting sheet – a simple one page document that includes details of your Employee Assistance Programme and other services such as the Samaritans, NHS talking therapies referral routes and local mental health services. Display the signposting sheet prominently so that it is easily accessible to employees. As Acas guidance on supporting mental health at work says, you don’t have to be a counsellor, but signposting employees to appropriate support is a responsible and practical thing to do.
Normalise Adjustments Without Requiring Disclosure
Flexible start times, a quieter workspace or reduced targets are just a few examples of normal ways of working that can be implemented as standard without needing anyone to reveal they are experiencing any kind of difficulties.
Know When a Trained Colleague Should Step In
A Mental Health First Aider can have a formal and confidential chat with someone who is struggling, that a line manager may not feel equipped to have.
A useful reference for Mental Health Training Courses Milton Keynes is www.tidaltraining.co.uk/mental-health-training-courses/milton-keynes/.
Review Workload as a Team
When one person is struggling with their work their tasks often transfer to other team members. Have a team discussion about how to redistribute the work of the person who is struggling, frame this in a practical way and avoid making it personal to the individual.
It’s the small things, done consistently over time, that will protect your team members from struggling with their mental health and support them when they need it most, rather than a one off crisis intervention.
