Employers in the games industry have a duty of care to prioritise the mental health and wellbeing of their employees. By creating a positive and supportive work environment, games businesses can reduce stress and anxiety among their workforce and help employees feel valued and supported.
One key way to achieve this is by promoting work-life balance. Encouraging employees to take regular breaks and offering flexible working arrangements can help prevent burnout and promote better mental health. Employers can also offer opportunities for personal and professional development, which can help employees feel more engaged and fulfilled in their work.
Another way to promote positive mental health in the workplace is by fostering a culture of openness and communication. This means encouraging employees to talk openly about their mental health and creating an environment where people feel comfortable asking for help when they need it.
This can be achieved by providing training and support to managers and employees on how to recognise signs of mental health issues and how to provide support to colleagues who may be struggling. It’s also important to make sure that employees know what resources are available to them, such as counselling services, employee assistance programmes, and other mental health support.
Employers can also prioritise mental health and wellbeing by addressing workplace stressors.
This could involve reducing workloads, reorganising work to make it more manageable, and providing appropriate resources to help employees cope with their workload.
Employers should also make sure that their employees are taking regular breaks and that they have access to adequate resources, such as ergonomic workstations and appropriate lighting. Small changes can make a big difference in reducing stress and promoting mental health.
Finally, employers can prioritise mental health and wellbeing by promoting a culture of inclusivity and respect. This means creating a work environment that values diversity and supports all employees, regardless of their background or identity.
This can be achieved by implementing policies and practices that promote equality and diversity, such as providing equal opportunities for all employees, offering training and support to managers on how to manage diversity in the workplace, and actively promoting respect and tolerance among colleagues.