It’s not uncommon for male-dominated sectors to be the most exposed in terms of mental health, according to experts from The University of Manchester’s Alliance Manchester Business School (Alliance MBS).
A recent survey has uncovered that a staggering 76% of employees within the transport and logistics sector believe that employers aren’t doing enough to help employees manage work-related stress, anxiety and mental health issues.
Now, 76% may sound like an eye-opening statistic, but let’s not get ahead of ourselves, inferring that mental health is a common problem – one that’s limited to the logistics sector alone. It isn’t. Mental health awareness across countless sectors has risen to prominence in recent years, with global industries far and wide taking action.
The good news is that mental health awareness has skyrocketed in prominence in the logistics sector over the last few years – and the logistics and transportation sector has invested much to combat this growing pandemic.
So, what has caused this pandemic of mental health casualties? Let’s examine the contributing factors and how the logistics sector is addressing it.
Highly Pressurised Working Environment
The logistics sector is a highly pressurised environment, one that’s incredibly fast paced with a strong focus on completing all work in a timely and accurate manner. This can create something of a ‘boiler room’ atmosphere – one that places a great deal of stress on employees across all disciplines.
The knock-on effect of global lockdowns and supply chain disruption is, perhaps, responsible for the increased pressure felt by people in the workplace. This pressure leaves people vulnerable, compromising their mental health.
Despite being recognised as key workers throughout the pandemic, logistics and haulage companies involved in the transfer of essential goods, like food and drink for instance, were NOT acknowledged throughout the numerous lockdowns. Yet, staff continued to work round the clock to maintain supplies, frequently putting themselves and their families at risk.
In fact, COVID-19 could not have come at a worse time for the logistics sector. Brexit was already causing mounting pressures on supply chains, with essential goods like food and drink compromised, resulting in an intensely pressurised work environment for businesses and their employees. This was only exacerbated by consistent governmental changes guidelines and the subsequent confusion and prolonged delays at seaports.
Adding to this was the intense stress caused by delays to the HGV driver community, especially those responsible for delivering perishable goods at a time when drivers were in short supply.
In summation, continued difficulties resulted in a highly pressured environment, one that put great strain on everyone working in the logistics sector.
Taking the Necessary Steps to Securing Employee Mental Well-Being
The logistics sector may be a highly pressurised environment, but the good news is that policymakers are aware of this, and they’re investing resources and spreading awareness to help employees at all levels to safeguard their mental well-being.
From sharing practical tips to instigating an auto-enrolment scheme – similar to workplace pensions – which empowers people to take charge of their mental health are already rising to prominence. Additional actions, such as regular health check-ups, gym access, even posture services are all championed within the sector.
However, oftentimes it’s the simple solutions that prove to be the most effective. Understanding a handful of core behaviours and actions and putting them into practice can work wonders.
Interested in learning what everyone working in the logistics sector should be doing to improve safeguard their mental well-being? Keep reading below.
Don’t Be Afraid to Speak Up
Recent years have seen the stigma around mental health greatly reduced. The stoic demeanour cultivated by many and viewed as valued – especially amongst men – is today considered antiquated. There’s nothing wrong with speaking up if you feel that you need to.
Indeed, the first step to understanding how to improve your mental health at work is to have the confidence to speak up. The logistics and transportation sector, like countless other UK-wide sectors are opening their eyes to the necessity of practicing good mental health, with employers offering support to employees who feel like they need it. This can only be a good thing, after all, a happy employee is a productive employee.
From flexible working to suit employee lifestyles to mindfulness sessions, there’s a great deal of support for employees to access within the sector.
Building an Employee Support Network
It may be advice that’s routinely given but building a good support network, one with like-minded people with whom you feel comfortable sharing how your feeling, or even just chatting about life, your career, the world, the weather, sports, can make a world of difference to your state of mind.
Sometimes just grabbing a coffee with friends in the middle of a hectic day is enough to help you to refresh your mind and refocus your energies. Some employers in the logistics sector also offer confidential 1-to-1’s for people to discuss how they’re feeling to help bolster mental wellness.
Most of us spend forty-plus hours a week at work. That’s a long time. Practicing sound mental health, even when it seems like we’re under pressure, is integral to optimising performance – and happiness.
Be Honest with Yourself
Our mind can be our best friend… or our worst enemy. Often times, most of us – especially those of a stoic nature – aren’t necessarily honest with our feelings. This can be especially true in the workplace.
It’s not uncommon for people to put on a façade, or feel that they have to lead, guide, make important decisions for the betterment of their colleagues. This can lead to people ignoring their feelings, something that is a recipe for stress and strain.
Then there are times when we feel too busy to pay attention to our mental health. We have a million and one things to do, deadlines, promises to keep. That we simply do not have the time to invest in our own mental health. This is a mistake.
Remember to be honest with yourself. If you feel like you need to take a break, take one! Of course, be sure to take a break at a time that doesn’t negatively affect your colleagues – having an extra-long, two-hour long lunch break when you have pallets of product to load onto lorries for departure immediately after lunch isn’t exactly wise. But take moments whenever your can to be honest with yourself and recharge your batteries.
Help is Available… But You’re Under No Obligation
Life can be stressful, tiring, fraught with challenges, a balancing act. Some of us benefit greatly from having someone to talk to. Others prefer to work out difficulties on their own.
Employers in the logistics sector will offer workplace mental health programs, but that doesn’t mean that you’re under obligation to take part. Any decision is entirely down to the individual. If you think it’ll help you and you feel comfortable talking to your employer about it, great. If not, that’s fine too.
Mental Health in the Logistics Sector
The logistics sector is one of the UK’s most important sectors, with countless global industries relying on its seamless and swift operation. This being said, it stands to reason that ensuring the well-being of people across all disciplines is paramount.
The good news is that health and wellbeing has soared in prominence across the sector with major (and smaller) operators investing many resources into making sure that people are healthy and happy.
Statistics have long shown that male-centric workforces, like the logistics sector, can be some of the hardest hit by mental health problems, but by prioritising mental health awareness, the sector as a whole is making great strides to secure its continued prosperity – and the prosperity of other global sectors that rely heavily on seamless logistics operations.
