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Build workplaces where people thrive, not just survive 

Build workplaces where people thrive, not just survive 
A modern office setup. Image used for representation purposes only. PHOTO/Pexels

Today’s workplace mirrors our chaotic world, which is marked by war, unrest, and political turmoil one day, and innovation and progress the next.

This unpredictability, magnified by deadlines and rising expectations, has transformed workplaces into pressure cookers of stress and dwindling morale. 

Employees navigate complex realities quietly. We have witnessed severe health crises, abnormal behaviours, and mass resignations.

Whether driven by economic pressures, political tensions, or remote work’s blurred boundaries, the cause matters less than the reality: workplace mental health concerns are widespread and intensifying. 

The World Health Organisation reports that depression and anxiety drain $1 trillion annually from global productivity.

In Kenya, the situation is equally dire. KIPPRA’s 2023 report revealed stress-related absenteeism costs businesses Ksh15 billion yearly, with one in three employees reporting severe work-related stress.

Microsoft’s 2024 Work Trends Report shows 42 per cent of Kenyan employees feel isolated and burned out from remote work’s lingering effects. 

The consequences are clear. The solution demands more than superficial perks. It requires radical change.

Employers must integrate mental wellness into their core business strategy. Deloitte Kenya’s 2023 report indicates such efforts boost productivity by 41 per cent while reducing absenteeism equally. 

Transparent communication is non-negotiable. A 2023 PwC Kenya survey found 67 per cent of employees distrust leadership when updates are sporadic.

Regular town halls, open forums, and anonymous feedback channels bridge this gap, fostering trust and reducing uncertainty-driven anxiety. 

Employee assistance programmes must become standard. Only 22 per cent of Kenyan companies offer EAPs, according to a 2024 Institute of Human Resource Management report, despite compelling evidence they reduce burnout and improve retention. These aren’t benefits, they are essential lifelines. 

Flexibility is no longer optional. With 54 per cent of Kenyan workers citing rigid schedules as major stressors (KNBS Labour Report, 2023), policies like remote work, flexible hours, or four-day weeks can dramatically alleviate pressure.

This isn’t about convenience; it’s empowerment. 

Mental wellness requires collective effort. Employees must take ownership through consistent, intentional habits. 

Consider the employee working 12 months without breaks, driven by dedication, yet swiftly replaced when circumstances change.

This highlights a crucial lesson: prioritise your mental and physical health like you prioritise paying yourself first. 

A staggering 68 per cent of remote employees check emails after hours (Microsoft, 2024), fuelling burnout. Setting clear boundaries is paramount. Ask yourself: Is it truly urgent, or can it wait? 

Breaking this barrier requires a cultural shift. We should celebrate help-seeking as strength and self-awareness, not vulnerability.

Simple changes like turning off work notifications after hours, mindfulness exercises, or gratitude journaling significantly enhance mental resilience.

Technology can monitor stress triggers and develop personalised coping mechanisms. 

The solution is clear. Employers must commit to regular mental health audits and comprehensive wellness programmes. Employees must prioritise their mental health through personal initiative. 

The writer is a Human Resource practitioner in Nairobi

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