Depression and work (especially in the service industry) do not go well together. A state of mild depression can make you less productive, creative and motivated - acute depression makes it difficult enough to get out of bed, and the sheer idea of doing anything constructive seems completely out of reach. What's terrifying, 1 in every 10 people in the UK suffers from depression, and the numbers continue to increase. That's why it's important to know how to act when you spot signs of depression among your staff.
You work with your employees every day and after a while they begin to grow on you. Even if you are not particularly close, you know their usual patterns of behaviour, the way they present themselves, talk and interact with others. So if you regularly pay attention to them, you can notice when their behaviour changes.
People with depression can be really good at hiding their troubles, especially if this has been an ongoing issue for them. They can be very cheerful and be seen always smiling, despite their true feelings. Nevertheless, you may still be able to notice that something about them seems odd. Watch out for symptoms such as:
You may be wondering if you should even react to this at all. If they neglect their duties, why not just give them a warning and if things don’t get better - simply fire them? After all, if the employee is underperforming, it is your business that is suffering.
Well, firstly - according to the Equality Act of 2010, it’s illegal to treat employees with mental health conditions less favourably than others. It’s actually your duty to provide reasonable adjustments for the depressed person, so they can go on with their work. Secondly - it’s not a very ethical thing to do, to say the least. All we can do is hope you are not the kind of person who doesn’t care about their employees' health (and even life).
Now, it’s understandable that you may feel out of place asking about their private issues and think that it is “none of your business”. But it is your business - quite literally, as the employee’s behaviour affects the performance of your salon - and the issue is just too important. The sooner the person is diagnosed and gets proper help, the better - the situation will not improve on its own.
Arrange a private, informal chat
It’s very important to talk to your employee in private. Begin by showing your concern (“I have noticed some differences in you recently and wondered how you are doing”) and if the employee opens up, listen carefully and show understanding. Let them know that you want to support them and that regardless of their condition, they are a very important part of the team.
Suggest they seek professional help
Encourage them to open up to someone they can trust (a friend or a family member) and ask if they have thought about going to a psychiatrist or psychologist. Prepare information on local specialists and helplines, so you can recommend someone on the spot.
Protect their confidentiality
If the employee has trusted you with their story, show them your respect by protecting their privacy. It’s a highly sensitive topic - keep the whole chat to yourself.
Discuss work adjustments
Ask the employee if they are able to work or if they would prefer to take a break. Discuss possible ways of making things easier for them - may it be working lesser hours, taking a few days off, not performing particular tasks, and so on. Remember that it is your duty to provide reasonable adjustments to help them improve their mental health.
Treat them with kindness, but avoid overdoing it
Your intentions may be pure, but you want to avoid treating the employee like they are “broken” or suddenly incapable of performing their usual tasks. Too much special attention is never good - it may make them feel like there is something wrong with them. Find out how they're doing now and then but don’t be an “overprotective mom”.
Maintaining a healthy workplace
You do everything you can to keep your salon healthy from a physical standpoint - you provide proper ventilation, equipment servicing and tools sterilisation. However, it’s just as important to make your business healthy for your employees' state of mind. What should you take into consideration?
Being approachable
Let your employees know that you are always willing to talk about their needs, problems and concerns. Be the boss they can trust - don’t punish them for honesty and keep their issues to yourself. No matter if they want to talk to you about work or their personal problems, keep your approach empathic and understanding.
Treating all your employees equally
It’s human to like some people more and some people less. However, as a boss, you have to be objective and avoid favouritism - treat all your team members equally.
Being honest, yet respectful
Your employees are here to do their job, so obviously, you cannot pretend like everything's fine if they are falling behind. However, instead of scolding them for their failures, give them constructive criticism and discuss ways in which they can improve their performance.
Providing guidelines and feedback
To meet your expectations, employees have to actually know them first. Create clean guidelines, so that each of them knows their responsibilities. Also, don’t hesitate to comment on their performance - compliment a job well-done and inform them where you see room for improvement.
Rewarding
Acknowledge effort, progress and even small successes. Let your crew members know you see and appreciate their good work. Booksy provides you with statistics on your employees’ performance, so that no-one's great work will go unnoticed.
Keep your eyes open
Conflicts happen in almost every salon. However, there is a huge difference between a little argument and full-on harassment or bullying. Keep a careful eye on your staff members - maybe there is something wrong happening behind the scenes in your salon.
Be on their side
Whenever a customer comes to you, fuming about something your employee allegedly did/failed to do, make sure to hear the other half of the story. Clients are not always right!
Depression is a horrible illness that can seriously affect every aspect of one’s life. Afraid of being ostracised or even losing their job, many depressed employees try to hide their condition, ending up feeling even worse. In such situations, an understanding and respectful boss who will support one’s path to recovery is worth their weight in gold. A supportive work environment can truly improve the condition of a depressed person. With 16 acts of suicide per average committed every day in the UK, it’s finally time to start caring more about one another’s mental state. Your goodwill can not only improve your business’s performance, but actually save someone’s life.
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