Understanding your employee’s symptoms of depression is vital to your business productivity and their health

The holidays are a complicated time of year for any business. The workplace can be filled with merriment and good will as employees and customers gear up for events, celebrations and hope that the holiday season will bring a promised reward. For many businesses there are challenges associated with managing capacity and workload if availability of staffing is cut for many reasons. At this time of year many challenges can conspire against an organization and sap productivity so it is important to take a step back and see the lay of the land so you can anticipate your capacity. Being prepared to get out ahead of any potential problems can help you manage them should they arise.

Of the increased challenges around the holidays dealing with illness, yours or an employee’s, can expose critical gaps in the businesses ability to manage unexpected challenges. Although people in close proximity can share gems and experience additional health challenges there can be as big a danger posed by another illness that is present around the holidays, and that is seasonal depression.

Mental Health Challenges In The Workplace

Unlike a physical illness an emotional or mental health illness can be more difficult to spot. An employee may appear tired, distracted, stressed about the holidays and more. Very often at this time of year mental health challenges go unaddressed leaving a person vulnerable to isolation and alienation. Hidden depression can also have a critical impact on your business as performance may decrease just enough to have a tangible impact.

Very few people want to be around a depressed person around the holidays. How often have you heard someone give the advice to a depressed looking person to just ‘cheer up and enjoy the holiday season’. For many people they are not capable of just straightening up and getting over their feelings of overwhelm although they can remain generally productive at work. However, over time errors creep in that can hurt a business bottom line.

One of the best ways to manage an employee’s mental health concerns is to try and get out in front of them by being proactive and keeping your eyes open. To that end we have compiled a list of symptoms so you can take steps to help an employee and often your own business.