It is no surprise that during an election year, stress, tension and polarizing discourse infiltrate the workplace and affect employees’ mental health and productivity. Despite organizations’ efforts to foster open dialogue and collaboration, employees can still experience elevated levels of stress due to the heightened political climate.
According to the American Psychiatric Association’s annual mental health poll, 43% of adults feel more anxious in 2024 than in previous years. Additionally, 70% of adults interviewed are anxious about current events, including the country’s economy, election and gun violence.
Psychological Safety in the Workplace
Psychological safety is described as an environment where people can speak openly and honestly. According to the American Psychological Association, employees in a psychologically safe workplace can admit and discuss mistakes as well as openly address problems and tough issues. The data shows that two in five employees (43%) report typically feeling tense or stressed out during their workday. That number rises to more than three in five employees (61%) who report experiencing lower psychological safety at work. Addressing political anxiety in a safe and supportive workplace can significantly reduce stress.
What can employers do to support their employees?
Taking proactive measures to ensure the safety and well-being of employees can help reduce stress levels, hostility and low productivity. Here are some practices to consider during this election year:
- Reinforce Workplace Policies
Most workplaces have an employee handbook outlining policies and a code of conduct for sharing personal beliefs. Communicating these policies is a great start to set expectations. - Employees’ Mental Health Benefits
Ensure employees are aware of any employee assistance programs and other mental health benefits available to them. Continuous reminders may encourage employees to utilize these benefits.
If possible, offer mental health days for employees to disconnect and rest. Employers can provide mental health resources, and employees can feel safe and motivated to ask for these days off, especially as election day approaches. - Address Hostility in Workplace
Passionate political beliefs during the election year can cause hostility and microaggressions among colleagues. Employers must promptly address any form of microaggression and reiterate the code of conduct and expectations to maintain a respectful environment. - Facilitate Support Groups
To ease levels of stress, even beyond election season, create affinity groups for individuals to share their experiences with others facing similar challenges. Human connection is one of the most powerful tools organizations can provide to individuals who may feel alone, stressed and overwhelmed at work due to outside factors.
By taking proactive measures, organizations can create a safe and collaborative workplace where all employees feel valued, respected and supported, regardless of political beliefs. These practices will not only enhance individual well-being but also foster a more productive work environment.
Want to learn more about creating an inclusive environment, tackling biases and providing mental health resources to your employees? Join us at one or more of our upcoming conferences, including the 70th Annual Employee Benefits Conference in San Diego, CA, November 10-13; the 57th Annual Canadian Employee Benefits Conference in San Antonio, TX, November 24-27; and our Mental Health in the Workplace Virtual Conference on October 9.
Benchmark your mental health benefit offerings against what others in the industry are doing by viewing the recent International Foundation’s Mental Health and Substance Use Disorder Benefits: 2024 Survey Results.
