The British-American multinational financial services firm, Aon, has said that creating an enabling mental and wellbeing environment is important for business success.
The firm said this during its festival for diversity, equity, and inclusion in the insurance industry. The event themed, “Breaking the Taboo: Mental Health and Wellbeing in the workplace,” was anchored by CNBC Financial Broadcast and Business Journalist, Esther Awoniyi.
During the keynote session, a speaker, Chioma Fakorede, stated the importance of mental health awareness.
“As an employer, you can be an agent of change by becoming aware of mental health and educating your staff on it, creating clear structures for employees who might need help, creating a positive work environment that would reduce stress, burnout, be understanding and flexible to the needs of your employees and have zero tolerance to discrimination and stigma.”
Head, Human Resources, Heirs Insurance, Gloria Agugua, said, “Lack of awareness of mental health and fear of being stigmatized at the workplace persist as barriers to wellbeing.
“ This barrier triggers a set of reactions that are catastrophic to business progression. When an employee struggles with mental health challenges and his or her organization decides to turn a blind eye, it comes back to affect business outcomes.
“ This is why organisations need to create mental health awareness; modify workplace risk factors that can trigger stress; institute an organizational environment or culture that promotes wellbeing; eradicate stigma and encourage open-minded conversations about mental health in the workplace; and most importantly, be understanding and flexible to the needs of the employee, and listen and respond with empathy.”
