Whatever challenges employees face, the right work environment can help

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Workplaces are perhaps emphasizing mental health to a greater extent than ever before. 

Because of this, workers have come to expect more from their employer. The HR team at hotel management company Valor Hospitality Partners is working to rise to the challenge

Over the last year the company has steadily grown their mental health programs, services and offerings to more adequately meet the spectrum of needs from their workforce. On top of its employee assistance program, which provides free counseling services to staff members and their immediate families, Valor has added access to qualified "mental health first aiders" on site should anyone need it. They've also expanded their resources to include financial wellness services, legal guidance and work-life solutions

To tackle engagement, employees also have been granted free use of workout facilities in some locations and discounted overnight stays around the world within the company's network of hotels. Since July, Valor has also held a number of prize giveaways, such as athletic gear, Apple Watches, meal prep kits and bikes, aimed to encourage healthy habits both physically and mentally. 

"People are getting more comfortable talking about their mental health at work," says Charlotte Spedding, regional director of HR at Valor. "We're seeing a trend of openness, where employees are ready to share their own experiences, ideas, suggestions and best practices on what can be done to improve their mental wellness."

 Read more: Valor Hospitality Partners has spent all year prioritizing its workforce's mental health

The upcoming Nov. 5 presidential election presents a different type of challenge in terms of employee support and creating a welcoming environment. Individuals can become impassioned about certain political issues so it's imperative that companies keep any discussions civil. 

Thirty-one percent of workers overall experience conflict at work due to their political beliefs, according to a recent survey from resume building platform Enhancv, with 5% having already been disciplined at work for expressing their political opinions. As a result, searches for "ethics of talking politics at work" jumped by 540% and "can you get fired for talking politics at work" are up 100%, according to an analysis of Google search data from online education platform EduBirdie. 

"An office shouldn't feel like a debate ring," says Avery Morgan, a workplace productivity expert and chief communications officer at EduBirdie. "Respectful communication about politics at work is essential."

Read more: A how-to guide on keeping political conversations productive at work

Finally, supporting women's mental health as they go through menopause and even perimenopause can also be critical. The average age women experience menopause is 51, but the average onset of perimenopause is 40, with some women experiencing symptoms as young as their mid-30s, according to New York hospital network Mount Sinai. 

That means millennials, who were generally born between 1981 and 1996, could be starting to feel symptoms related to at least perimenopause. These can include fatigue, hot flashes, night sweats, trouble sleeping, skin and hair changes and increased irritability. Dealing with this can make it difficult for women to fully immerse themselves in their jobs and perform at work.

"It's a different journey for every woman," says Pamela Smith, VP of account management at benefits consulting firm Corporate Synergies. "And sometimes women don't really understand what these symptoms are because they might start very early. They just know that it's become much more difficult to function in the workplace."

Read more: Millennials are hitting menopause, and it's impacting the workplace

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Mental Health Employee benefits Health and wellness Workplace culture
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