Mental health is a significant focus in many areas, including the workplace. According to the CDC, nearly 1 in 5 US adults aged 18 or older (57.8 million people) reported mental illness in 2021.
In the world of facilities management (FM), the clock never stops. Managing facilities effectively involves juggling multiple responsibilities that can keep you and your team busy in a seemingly endless cycle. This 24/7 world can introduce significant stress on the staff and FM leaders, making the role of support systems and strategic resources in FM more crucial than ever.
The workplace can be a key location for activities designed to improve well-being among adults. By doing so, FM leaders can elevate their team and create a more efficient working environment.
Mental health resources are essential for supporting FM professionals. As an FM leader, you can offer access to free resources, such as mental health tools from the CDC, and recommend your organization’s Employee Assistance Programs (EAPs) to your team. These resources can help your and your employees manage stress and seek assistance when needed.
On-site wellness days can significantly boost morale and reduce stress. These can include distributing pamphlets on mental health, providing healthy snacks, and offering biometric screenings. Some FM leaders even organize wellness days where employees can participate in various health and wellness activities. For instance, NEST recently hosted an on-site wellness day featuring these elements, promoting a healthy work environment for our team.
Partnering with an Integrated Facilities Management (IFM) provider can ease the stress of FM professionals. For example, a high-end retailer with over 250 locations nationwide faced significant challenges with their one-person FM team managing service needs efficiently across different time zones.
The retailer in that situation decided to partner with an IFM firm that provided strategic, round-the-clock support, including a dedicated Account Manager and client success team. This partnership ensured immediate response to emergencies, tailored custom solutions, and ensured trust and compliance with licensed service providers. As a result, the retailer processed over 1,200 work orders in the first year and managed 733 after-hours work orders, allowing a shift from reactive to proactive strategies without increasing headcount.
Addressing mental health in the workplace is crucial, especially for facilities management professionals who face unique and constant pressures. Providing mental health resources, organizing on-site wellness days, and collaborating with a dedicated IFM provider can significantly reduce stress and enhance the well-being of FM teams.
These strategies not only improve operational efficiency but also foster a healthier, more supportive work environment.