How Can You Approach an Employee Suffering from Mental Health in the Workplace

How Can You Approach an Employee Suffering from Mental Health in the Workplace Once youve spotted the signs that an employee may be suffering from a mental health issue in the workplace, its not always to confront them about it in case you risk of causing them further distress. But at the same time, you have a duty of care to your staff and to just ignore them would be just as detrimental to their health and wellbeing. So what do you do and how should you do it? Let our panel of experts help you. Nick Patel The manager should approach the conversation without judgment and full of support.   Let the employee know that the they and the company support mental health in the workplace, and direct the employee to resources available to help them improve and manage their mental health.   Depending on the company, there may be policies in place for the manager to direct the employee to human resources.   In this case, the manager should follow the policies outlined by their company. Nick Patel, CEO of Wellable. Renae Shaw Best practice when it comes to approaching an employee who may be suffering from a mental health problem is to invite them somewhere private where they feel safe and relaxed. Set aside an hour and make it clear that you have time to talk so they don’t feel rushed or like they are taking up your time. Going off-site for a coffee can help a situation feel less intense and more informal. During your chat, use open ended questions which don’t require a ‘yes’ or ‘no’ answer e.g. asking “How are you feeling at the moment?” rather than “Are you okay?”. It’s important to be a non-judgemental listener â€" stay calm and collected and be empathetic with what you hear. Don’t rush to fix any problems ask what they think would help and how you can support them and make initial steps to put these in action. Renae Shaw, Head of HR at Search Laboratory. Lee Keyes They can raise their awareness of basic helping skills that any layperson can utilize. The skills represent a balance between sensitivity for the employee, expectations for the work environment, and positive views of mental health care, and the encouragement of the employee. Such skills are noted at this link which is focused on the college environment, but may be extrapolated to other settings. Dr. Lee Keyes, is a Psychologist and Emeritus Director at the University of Alabama. Emma Mamo It’s important that there is an open and inclusive environment within your organisation and that all managers are equipped with the right tools to deal with mental health in the workplace. It’s also important that managers feel comfortable in having a conversation about mental health. Mind’s training can help equip line managers with the right skills and tools to recognise mental problems and support them to feel comfortable in having conversations. Additionally, the following tips can help when starting a conversation about mental health: Choose an appropriate place somewhere private and quiet Encourage people to talk ask simple, open and non-judgmental questions Don’t make assumptions don’t try to guess Listen to people and respond flexibly adapt your support to suit the individual Be honest and clear address specific grounds for concern at an early stage Ensure confidentiality Encourage people to seek advice and support Seek advice and support yourself Reassure people people may not always be ready to talk straight away Emma Mamo, Head of Workplace Wellbeing at Mind. Brendan Street Asking simple questions about how an employee is and whether anything is affecting their performance can give them an opportunity to disclose a mental health issue or something personal going on in their lives.   Managers should not force someone to disclose a mental health issue, or suggest they are ill, but should explore conversations in a way that is not intrusive or judgemental.   If there are concerns about health or poor performance, managers should explore whether there is a health or disability issue including mental health before implementing any formal performance management steps. Brendan Street, Professional Head of Emotional Wellbeing at Nuffield Health. Shona Davies Its important to be open, honest, genuine, supportive and gentle but also not skirt around the topic. Give them some space to talk and thinkbut recognise that they may not want to talk to their manager about a topic that theyre coming to grips with themselves. If theyre not open for discussion, sign-posting to services that might help would be a great step. . Shona Davies, Founder of Shona Davies Consulting. Chieu Cao The most important thing to remember is there isn’t a one size fits all approach. If you have a good personal relationship with the employee in question, arrange a meeting as soon as possible to talk to them in private. The conversation should be approached in a positive and supportive way. If your relationship is a more professional one, that employee may not feel comfortable speaking to you directly, you shouldn’t try to pressure them to talk. Instead, it may be best to simply ensure that they know you are available at any time and make them aware of the alternative support that’s on offer in the organisation.                       Chieu Cao, Co-Founder of Perkbox. Lucy Faulks A highly sensitive approach is needed. At Elevate, we provide training in mental health signposting which helps employees and managers to spot the signs of mental ill health in their employees and advises on the recommended pathways for help and treatment, as well as information on how to best support colleagues. . Lucy Faulks, Co-founder of Elevate. Paula Whelan If a manager is concerned about an employee, the best approach is to put aside some time and find a quiet private place to talk to them. It is important to be honest about the concerns without making assumptions, offer reassurance, encourage and allow the employee to talk and then ask what support would be helpful. Make sure you have details of additional available support to hand e.g. Employee Assistance Programme (if the employer has one), local NHS resources, Mental Health first aider etc Paula Whelan, Head of Diversity Inclusion at Right Track Learning. Nicole Thurman They just need to be observant, ask questions and listen, in that order. Broaching mental health with employees is incredibly difficult. You dont want to diminish trust or harm your relationship by prying, or by going someplace that somebody doesnt want to go or isnt ready to go. If they want to tell you, they will tell you. But its really delicate, and for me, its just about asking how they are doing and spending time and actually listening. I think it’s part of the problem with the delivery of healthcare in the United States, in general. There isnt a holistic approach that takes mental health into consideration, which is absolutely critical. Not including mental health is a big miss for a lot of companies. Nicole Thurman, Vice President, Talent Management at CHG Healthcare.

Perfect your Recruiting in 5 Little Steps - Personal Branding Blog - Stand Out In Your Career

Perfect your Recruiting in 5 “Little” Steps - Personal Branding Blog - Stand Out In Your Career After running a headhunting firm for more than a decade, I have learned two very important things: 1) recruiting quality talent is often more complex than most assume and 2) the words “too small” should never be in a recruiter’s vocabulary because it’s the little things that separate a headhunter’s ability to recruit the right candidates. And speaking of “little things,” below I’ve outlined five small but necessary practices when it comes to an effective hiring process. 1. When negotiating salary, focus on the present. Instead of asking an employee about his or her desired salary, inquire about the worker’s current salary and increase that amount by roughly 15 percent. Candidates typically “over ask” when recruiters give them an open forum during salary negotiations, and they tend to stand firm on their requested amount, no matter the number. Recruiters should ask about workers’ current compensation packages and increase that number accordingly. 2. Remember, the candidate isn’t the only person making a sale. Be sure to create a sales pitch, demonstrating why employees should desire to work for your company. Focus on the worker’s desires. What are the benefits of accepting the job offer? For example, are there opportunities for career advancement? Is there a mentoring program? What perks come with the position? An easy way to create a compelling sales pitch is to draw on realistic inspiration, thinking about the reasons you enjoy working at your current company. And don’t forget, honesty is the best policy. Making promises you cannot (or will not) keep can lead to resentful, less productive employees. 3. Time is everything. No candidate wants to endure an unnecessarily long hiring process, yet it should not be too short either. The longer the process, the more applicants you’re going to lose (and not to mention time). Moving along too quickly, you risk losing the ability to make a sound decision. The ideal time frame for a typical position is three to five weeks. 4. Change your perspective when viewing resumes, adopting an entrepreneurial mindset. Resumes not only reveal what the applicant has done, but basis for what the potential employee can do. Forget about length and formatting; focus instead on content to extract the proper inferences. 5. Learn how to stretch a budget. Recruiting great employees is like home buying. You pay more for more amenities (or experience). Your ideal candidate may be out of your budget; so to properly stretch funds, learn what is absolutely necessary from day one (including needed training). A thorough analysis will reveal areas to cut costs. Just like in most areas of life, the little things can make the greatest impact when recruiting. Along with the above practices, always treat every applicant with respect remembering you represent your organization, in and outside the office. And don’t discount the power of thoughts. Believing you deserve a great employee can positively affect your pursuit of recruiting top talent.

How To Bounce Back From Personal Branding Disappointment - Personal Branding Blog - Stand Out In Your Career

How To Bounce Back From Personal Branding Disappointment - Personal Branding Blog - Stand Out In Your Career How you handle disappointment will play a major role in your personal branding success. At some point or another, you may experience disappointment during your journey to personal branding success. An expected job offer may not materialize, your book may not sell as well as expected, or a recent marketing campaign may not attract qualified prospects. Disappointment is inevitable, but you can control your reactions and move forward. 7 tips to help you bounce back Here are 7 ways you can take positive action, so you can minimize damage and get your personal brand back on track as quickly as possible. 1. Acknowledge. Disappointment is never fun, and facing what has happened can be difficult. However, rather than attempting to minimize your disappointment, acknowledge that your career is at a turning point and commit to learning from what has happened.   Failure to acknowledge what has happened can lead to stagnation and making the same mistakes over and over again. 2. Evaluate. Start by objectively evaluating the seriousness of the situation. As a passionate, brand-building entrepreneur or career-builder, you have to guard against the temptation to exaggerate the damage, or lost opportunity, that has recently taken place. Asking questions like, What is the actual extent of the damage?, How much of a setback have you really suffered? and Who else knows what happened? may help you develop a more realistic perspective. 3. Review. What are the steps that lead to the personal branding disappointment? What actions or assumptions lead you astray? Were there any turning points leading to the   problem? Were there any warning signs, or intuitions, you may have ignored? Who else played a role in the disappointing outcome? The goal is not to assign blame, but simply gain a better understanding of what went wrong. 4. Salvage. What are the lessons you can learn from the setback? What will you do different in the future? How will you guard against the same thing occurring in the future? More important, how can you reformat, recycle, or reuse some of the work you put into the disappointing project. For example, can you reformat your book into a series of podcasts or YouTube videos, or, perhaps an autoresponder-delivered ecourse? 5. Give back. The above steps may leave you emotionally drained. You may be wondering, How can I quickly restore my enthusiasm and passion?   What Ive done in similar situations is to take a temporary break from thinking about the recent personal branding disappointment and simply do something for others.  Write something, present a teleseminar, or do something for a client that doesnt have a back-end upsell. Offer to share valuable information simply for the joy of sharing your passion! It doesnt matter what you do, as long as you share helpful information and positive energy with others. 6. Revise. When youre feeling betterand, trust me, there will be a time when you will feel betterthats the time to revise your expectations and continue your journey to personal branding success. Avoid moving forward until your ready. Give your recent lessons time to sink in. With the perspective of time, you may find that your disappointment was the result of overambitious goals or unrealistic expectations. Before closing the book on your personal branding disappointment, create more realistic expectations for the future. 7. Recommit. Lost battles can be very painful, but wars are won and lost over longer time frames. Your brand might have suffered a major disappointment, but you can still go on to personal branding success. Learn from your disappointment, but put it aside, so you can better prepared for the next step in your journey to personal branding success. For more information about bouncing back from personal branding disappointment, check out Dan Schawbels interview with Barry Moltz, author of Bounce!: Failure, Resiliency, and Confidence to Achieve Your Next Great Success. And, dont forget to share your stories of bouncing   back from personal branding success as comments, below. Author: Roger C. Parker is an author, book coach, designer, consultant who works with authors, marketers, business professionals to achieve success with brand-building books practical marketing strategy. He helps create successful marketing materials that look great get results, and can turn any complex marketing or writing task into baby steps. Visit his blog to learn more or ask a question.

3 Things to Expect in a Career in the Automotive Industry

3 Things to Expect in a Career in the Automotive Industry Whether you’re fresh out of school and looking to tackle the job market, or you’re a seasoned professional looking for a career change, you could do much worse than the automotive industry. Particularly, if you have a passion for cars, this can be a great fit â€" although there is much more to automotive work than just looking under a hood and going to work. The industry is nearly future-proofed, as vehicles become more technologically advanced and shops and dealerships need workers with more varied skill sets. Positions of all kinds are also in high demand, and the following are just some of the biggest positives you can expect from a career in the automotive industry. Diverse opportunities While it’s probably easy to just think of mechanics when considering automotive work, the industry is actually multi-faceted and provides some of the most varied job opportunities around. While you certainly can go through an automotive engineering program to become a technician or mechanic, there are plenty of jobs available at dealerships for salespeople. The industry also offers managerial positions, administrative work, as well as opportunities in parts and services. There are even some “outside-of-the-box” job titles, such as paint technician, for those with other skill sets. With the right knowledge and a source for automobile leads, interested workers could even start their own automotive company. Though this may seem like a venture that needs a huge capital, there are ways to go about this without spending too much money. Vehicles can be sourced from an online auto auction that has a large inventory with different price points. By starting small, you can sell on your personal lot or one that belongs to a local seller. All you would need to do is offer to split the profits. The industry is so varied that each field will have a unique employee journey and different advancement requirements, but there is a place for nearly anyone. Stability This is likely to be one of the greatest concerns for anyone looking for new job opportunities, and the automotive industry is constantly advancing and becoming a more stable option. The 2008 recession saw layoffs across most industries, including automotive, but as vehicles become increasingly dependent on technology and the industry continues to evolve, positions are becoming more high demand. The Bureau of Labor Statistics predicts a 6 percent growth for technicians and mechanics by 2026. Demand for parts manufacturers is also on the rise, as increased customer confidence and interest in new vehicles in recent years means more cars are to be assembled. The automotive industry is now at the forefront of technological innovation, with companies sparing no expense in research and development. Working on vehicles today is much more complex than years past and therefore requires broader skills from workers. Many automotive companies are actually funding their own college courses at trade schools to meet their own demand for skilled employees. Cars of the future will present new challenges for front-of-house staff to improve on and incorporate new technologies while workshop employees will constantly adapt to new and improved equipment. Rapid entry and competitive salaries Another positive of the automotive industry is that it allows for relatively-quick entry. Many companies accept two year degrees from vocational schools that offer hands-on training, so aspiring mechanics and technicians are ready to take on the job as soon as they graduate. Sales positions may require previous experience when education is lacking, and managerial positions will likely provide both, but skills from many other industries are transferable. The top mechanical engineering companies should have no trouble connecting qualified candidates to rewarding job opportunities. Salaries will vary based on the job, location, and level of experience, but the high-demand in the industry means that employees generally earn competitive wages. Automotive technicians on average earn $21.55 per hour, with collision technicians and more specialized positions typically earning a bit higher. The industry is a great way to start a career, and with a bright future ahead, advancement opportunities are plentiful.

Spring Is in the Air! Who Cares About Work or Job Search - Executive Career Brandâ„¢

Spring Is in the Air! Who Cares About Work or Job Search After all that devastating rain and snow-melt, for the past several days here in the Northeast we’ve been enjoying the kind of unseasonably warm, restorative weather normally not seen until June. From one day to the next, daytime temperatures rose from the 40s to over 70. Were expecting a record-setting high of 80 today, and even higher tomorrow. Overnight my appetite shifted from wanting only warming homey meals like chili or a good substantial soup, to craving salads and cold dishes. Yesterday it was so warm in the house, I had to turn on the air conditioning for a bit. This is the kind of weather that beckons us to forget about commitments that keep us indoors â€" like our jobs or searching for one. It makes us want to chuck all responsibility and find a reason, or no reason at all, to head outside. There’s the barest hint of green in the trees. But it smells good, feels good, and sounds good out there. Makes me think of when I was young and couldn’t wait until the weather was warm enough to try out the new roller skates I got for Christmas on the neighborhood cul-de-sac. Antsy with spring fever, I don’t feel like working, but I’ll finish up what’s pressing and close up shop as early as I can today. Although it’s still early, there are a few things I can putter  with in my garden. The big pots of tarragon, lemon thyme, and other herbs I over-wintered in the garage are showing new green and need to be hauled outside. Or maybe I can locate a pair of roller skates somewhere. If you’re experiencing this kind of weather today, please try to get outside, if even briefly. If you can’t get out, maybe this video I tracked down will make you feel better. Sit back for 5 minutes or so and enjoy Gene Kelly doing a carefree tap dance number on roller skates from the 1955 movie It’s Always Fair Weather. If this doesn’t make you smile . . . Can you do what he does on 8 little wheels?   Related post: Social Media: Never on Sunday? Photo by Meg Guiseppi 00 0

Travel Around The World With These Careers

Travel Around The World With These Careers Are you someone who likes to travel? Do you dream about seeing as much of the world as possible? You may assume that this is something you are never going to be able to do. After all, you just don’t have to budget! However, this does not mean you should let your dreams of travelling die. After all, if you combine your career with travelling, you have the perfect solution. But, what sort of career can take you around the world? Read on to discover some suggestions that can help you to realise your dream. Nurse â€" Are you someone with a caring nature who likes to help others? If you have always wanted to work in the healthcare industry, you can use this passion to take you around the world. After all, there is not one country on the planet that does not have a need for professional healthcare. This reason alone shows how this career can take you anywhere. A lot of people with nursing qualifications decide to go to third-world countries whereby they can help those most in need. This is an extremely fulfilling route to go down and it will enable you to visit some of the world’s most wonderful places. Work on a yacht â€" There are a number of different ways you can approach this and look for a job on a yacht. The first option would be to work for a cruise ship. The great thing about working for a cruise ship is that you are going to be travelling to different places all over the world on a daily basis. You will also meet new people too. Plus, there are lots of different jobs available on cruise ships, from becoming an entertainer to working at the reception. In addition to this, you may decide to look for a job on a superyacht working for a private client. This means ensuring every single part of the yacht is flawless and providing an impeccable service when the owner is on the yacht and hosting guests. This is a job that will enable you to rub with the rich and famous too but it is only suited to those with an impeccable attention to detail. Freelancing â€" Freelancing is one of the most flexible job and business options for people today, which is why it is the perfect solution for anyone that is searching for a job that will allow them to travel the world. All you need is a laptop and an Internet connection, and you are ready to go. If you take a look online, you will see that there are so many different websites for freelancers today, and so there are many different ways you can pick up suitable jobs. If you have a skill that can be delivered over the web, you can freelance. Some of the main areas for this work include the likes of content writing, training, software development, web design, graphic design, admin, PR, translation, marketing, and such like. If you are travelling around the world, you will need to make sure you manage your time carefully when going for this route. Teaching â€" Another sort of career that can take you across the world is to become a teacher. Of course, you can become any sort of teacher you wish too. However, teaching English is something that is in demand all across the world. Plus, if that was not good enough, with every country you add to your CV, you are enhancing your CV further, and this will lead to more doors being opened in more countries. If you do not have a taste for languages, don’t panic. No matter whether science or maths is your forte, you are going to find international schools in most countries that are looking for people like you. Of course, you could also opt to provide private lessons or even give online training. Flight attendant â€" Of course, one of the most obvious job options for anyone that wishes to travel the world is to become a flight attendant. This is definitely something that is worth considering if you would like to see different places. If you can get a job as a long haul flight attendant, even better! Not only is this beneficial because you can travel far and across different continents, but long-haul flights often incorporate overnight stays, and so you will get a small amount of time to explore the country you have stopped at. If you go on short-haul journeys, there is every chance you will simply fly somewhere and then fly back, and so you might not get to explore as much as you would like.  Nevertheless, the discounted air tickets you will receive will also help you to travel more! As you can see, there are many different careers that can take you around the world. From counselling to working on a superyacht, you should, hopefully, have found one or two ideas that resonate with you. After all, there are many different skills and attributes that are in demand all across the globe, and so this means that there are many opportunities to work and travel. If you like the sound of anything that has been mentioned, make sure you conduct further research so that you can plot your career moves more effectively.

How Do I Write a Resume With No Experience of Job Search?

How Do I Write a Resume With No Experience of Job Search?It's not unusual for someone with no experience in the job search field to think of this question: How do I write a resume with no experience of job search? Although not all resumes need to be lengthy or involve much complex formatting, it's still important that the information you provide about yourself includes the details of your previous employment history. If you do have prior employment, it's always a good idea to put a copy of your most recent paycheck in your resume. That way, you can answer the question of 'How do I write a resume with no experience of job search?'For some, the thought of writing a resume with no experience of the job search can seem intimidating and difficult. Many do it themselves without hiring a professional to help them develop a strong resume. You may think that a professional would have more experience but hiring a professional means you pay an additional fee. A professional resume writing servi ce might charge for the initial consultation, but after the initial meeting or call, you don't have to pay anything. They may be able to offer suggestions or recommendations about what will work best for you.Why is it that some people feel so intimidated about writing a resume with no experience of job search? It is more common than most people realize, and the reason is because you don't know how to ask the right questions when you write the resume. When you aren't an expert in this area, your resume becomes haphazard and chaotic. Because you aren't looking for assistance and instead just want to give a resume to a friend, that's where the problem comes in.By using a professional service to create your resume, you have a copy of your resume that you can feel confident handing to a potential employer. Rather than simply filling out your information in the space provided, you have the advantage of a professional who will provide you with guidance. It's like having an accountant on sp eed dial; you can go to someone who knows what he or she is doing and can help you find the perfect job quickly.So how do you create a resume with no experience of job search? The first step is to gather all of your information together. Most likely, your past job and current position both need to be included in your resume. Include all of your positions and any management positions that you held as well.Next, gather all of your education and certifications. While it's a good idea to include education that isn't directly related to employment, it's also a good idea to include other things, such as your certification from a nursing school, as well as your leadership positions in your field. In general, the more relevant education and certifications you have, the better off you will be at landing the job.After you have gathered your education and certifications, take the time to compose your resume. Be sure to include all of the information that you have gathered from previous job sea rches. By doing this, you won't be wasting your time gathering all of the information; you'll be able to use the information that you already have and continue to gather as you submit your resume.The next step in the process of writing a resume with no experience of job search is to go back and check your personal history. Make sure you include any major accomplishments, such as award winning research, or you'll have to begin the process all over again. Once you've finished writing the resume, you should have a piece of paper that you can easily send to a prospective employer.