Get YOUR Questions Answered

Get YOUR Questions Answered

Q: How do I start a conversation about emotional well-being?

As a manager, your role is to support, encourage, and empower your team while navigating the ups and downs of life. You can show support in a variety of ways.

Here are a few conversation starters:

End your conversation with relevant resources.

Q: What are some signs I should look out for?

Take notice of changes in appearance, mood, or behaviors. Everyone experiences and exhibits stress a bit differently, but here are some signs that a colleague may be struggling:

  • Significant changes in work patterns, including:

- Delivering work that isn’t up to their usual quality

- Missing important deadlines

- Showing up late

- Trouble concentrating

  • Withdrawing from social events and co-worker relationships
  • Changes in sleeping or eating habits
  • Feeling excessively sad or low
  • Strong feelings of irritability
  • Excessive worrying or fear
  • Extreme mood changes or swings

Remember, your job is not to diagnose employees based on these signs, rather be there if they need you and point them to resources.

Q: What should I do if I suspect a problem?

Build awareness of the benefits, programs, and resources that Fresenius Medical Care offers and encourage struggling employees to utilize them and ask for help. If the employee is exhibiting signs of burnout, talk to them about their workload and how you can help them manage their time.

  • Remind them they can raise their hand for support when they’re feeling overwhelmed.
  • They can consider taking time off or taking advantage of flexible work arrangements or leave of absence options.

Remember, you’re not alone in supporting your employees. You can always call our EAP through ComPsych for advice on how to best approach, engage, and provide ongoing support for an employee.

Q: Are there any real-time tips I can provide an employee going through a hard time?

Here are a few simple things to do to practice shifting out of stressful states more quickly.

  • Breathe in and out. Take time to practice eliminating stress and anxiety and overcoming mental barriers.
  • Name it. Name that nagging feeling that is taking over your day. Recognize when it’s present. Shifting your focus can help create awareness on what you can control.
  • Take a walk. Just a few minutes of walking inside or outside can do wonders for your mind.

Q: What are the benefits of supporting employee emotional well-being?

When we focus on lifting each other up and creating a mentally healthy workplace, we’ll see benefits that impact all of us in a positive way such as:

Improved:

  • Working environment and relationships
  • Engagement and productivity
  • Attraction and retention

Reduced:

  • Absenteeism and presenteeism
  • Illness and disability claims
  • Turnover and discontent

The information contained in this Toolkit is a general overview only and not an official plan document. Each one of Fresenius Medical Care's benefit plans has an official plan document that must be used to resolve any questions about the terms of the individual plan. The benefits contained herein may or may not pertain to union employees, depending on the terms of their collective bargaining agreements. Fresenius Medical Care reserves the right to amend or change the provisions of its benefit plans at any time. This publication is a reference guide only and should not be used for emergency or urgent care needs. In an emergency, call 911 or 988, or go to the nearest emergency room.