In a time where employee burnout and healthcare's own Great Resignation have left an unmistakable mark on the workforce, cultivating a healthy workplace, especially in healthcare, is a top priority. Growing staffing issues result in long wait times and rushed patient visits, adding to the mounting challenges following the most trying couple of years in healthcare history. The cherry on top is increasing mental health concerns among frontline workers who triaged Covid patients for years with little or no mental health support to process their traumatic experiences.

So, where do we go from here? How do we "nurse" our work environments back to life, making them a place where frontline workers are once again excited to work and save lives?

Creating a culture worth bragging about is a team effort that begins top-down. From healthcare leadership to frontline workers, everyone can play an active role in developing a healthy work environment that supports employee well-being and makes everyone excited to come to work each day. Having inspired, energized healthcare professionals on staff means patients experience top-tiered care and improved health outcomes.

Here are five signs of a healthy workplace and how one organization breaks the mold.

5 Signs of a Healthy Workplace

Employees don't feel guilty taking time off. On the heels of Covid, burnout among healthcare professionals has hit a peak. Many hospitals are short-staffed, spreading nurses and doctors dangerously thin. In a healthy workplace, employees can use their PTO freely without guilt or admonition, and balance saving lives with spending time with family.
Employees feel comfortable discussing and trying to resolve workplace challenges. No matter where you practice, healthcare challenges abound. A healthy workplace encourages team members to openly discuss and work together to resolve challenges that inhibit doctors and nurses from performing at their best or any issue that adversely affects patient care. Conversely, any administration that sweeps issues under the rug or tries to quell employees' voices is a culture red flag.
Employees trust one another. A cornerstone of healthy company culture is employees trusting one another. Patients who trust their doctors implicitly experience proven positive health outcomes. In a nutshell, great things happen when trust is at the root of workplace relationships, and trust flourishes naturally in an environment where employees take responsibility and work collaboratively. Employees who trust each other comprise more cohesive teams that drive company growth: the hallmark of a healthy workplace.
Employees' mental health is a top priority. Dismal suicide rates among doctors and nurses have sounded the alarm for healthcare systems everywhere to prioritize mental health for their employees. In the past, healthcare leadership regrettably did not give mental healthcare access the needed attention. Further, a widespread stigma around mental health in the healthcare industry has long overshadowed workers from speaking up about their own struggles and feeling safe and supported in doing so, causing them to work tirelessly until they are burned out, depressed, traumatized, suicidal, and sometimes—as in Dr. Lorna Breen's case during peak pandemic—all four.

The absence of mental healthcare for frontline public health workers has a ripple effect on patients, too. There is an irrefutable connection between the well-being of the healthcare professional and the quality of patient care they provide. Data show a 200% increase in medical errors when frontline workers are burnt out.

Prioritizing mental health goes beyond just promoting employee wellness programs —but creating a culture around open, honest discussion, spreading awareness about warning signs and suicide prevention, and empowering employees to act if they or a team member is struggling. (If you or someone you know is experiencing suicidal thoughts or a crisis, please reach out immediately to the Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 800-273-8255. Help is available 24 hours a day.)
Employees are encouraged to grow and develop. One of the biggest drivers of the Great Resignation was employees who felt their career development was not a priority to their employers. Happy, healthy, inspired employees feel valued, understand their purpose within the organization, and have an aspiring career trajectory that their manager outwardly supports. By prioritizing and supporting your team's career goals and actively working together by defining a development path, giving and accepting feedback, and offering career advancement courses and mentorships, you will have a more engaged and productive team.

A healthy workplace is critical for employee retention and a thriving work culture. In healthcare specifically, this means prioritizing healthcare professionals' health and well-being to enable them to feel inspired and energized about their life-saving calling, so they can provide the highest-quality care to those who need it most.

ChenMed Recognized as One of 2022's Healthiest Employers

We are honored to announce that Dedicated Senior Care, a ChenMed Company, has been recognized as one of 2022's Healthiest Employers in Texas and Ohio! As a mission-driven organization, we honor seniors with affordable VIP care that improves long-term health outcomes and breaks down quality-of-life deterrents for seniors across the United States.

In addition to prioritizing our patients, we also prioritize the well-being of the employees caring for them. Led by our culture team and employee feedback, we're actively creating an environment where our employees have access to programs and resources that support workplace wellness in Texas and throughout the United States.

Our tenured and progressive wellness programs include:

Paid family leave for new parents (both mothers and fathers)
PTO, dedicated sick bank, paid government holidays, and flexible use of floating holidays
Team Health–our onsite clinic specifically for employees
Employee recognition programs and events –Currently celebrating SummerFest
Perks at Work –employee discount program

Join the future of healthcare and learn more about ChenMed Careers today!

If you're interested in exploring open positions at ChenMed, click below:

Primary Care Physician
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