BSR Insight | Investing in Factory Workers’ Mental Health and Well-Being
In response to the reported rise of suicides among Chinese factory workers, leading companies are investing in employee-assistance programs (EAPs)—including mental health education, diagnostic services, and counseling—to help workers and their families balance work- and personal-life demands, while also improving productivity. While common in North America, EAPs are emerging as important tools for addressing the root causes of mental health issues among workers in China.
To ensure that these programs suit worker needs and are sensitive to local perspectives and awareness of mental health issues, we recommend companies:
- Obtain high-level support and establish management accountability for the EAP.
- Build staff awareness of services and the importance of maintaining confidentiality and objectivity.
- Adapt the delivery of services to address stigmas around mental health and reflect the way workers feel most comfortable communicating about personal issues.
- Invest in the country’s mental health profession to support counseling, treatment, and crisis management.
- Monitor program usage and provide a mechanism for worker feedback.
For more information on implementing an EAP in China, contact BSR Advisory Services Manager Jason Ho.
About the Author(s)
Jessica Davis Pluess, Manager, Research
With strong knowledge of sustainability issues and rich experience in cross-sector collaboration, Jessica works with companies and BSR partners to explore meta-trends and key issues shaping sustainable development in the coming decades... Read more →
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