The mental health of people who undertake mindfulness or meditation courses offered by their employer is generally no better than those who are not offered such programmes
In my experience these things are always a box-checking exercise to justify some useless person’s job. As others are pointing out, participation can backfire because now the bosses know you have personal problems. (Everyone has personal problems, but formal admission will be punished in our toxic work-always-comes-first culture.)
It’s a shame, because such programs administered in good faith could truly help people. But helping workers is never the real objective. It’s only for the optics. “Look, we did a thing to address this”.
Ok but also just like pay for me to have therapy and/or let me go spend time with people I actually like. I don’t really want wellness initiatives, I’d take more care of myself if I had more time to
Every minute you’re at work you’re under their control - and we all know how much management likes to give up control. If employees could be chained to their desks they’d do it in a heartbeat for “revenue and efficiency improvements”.
“What’s this about liking actual people outside of work? Does that mean you don’t like your coworkers? That sounds like you’re not much of a team player. We’ll have to note this in your permanent record.”
Those are the wellness initiatives at my work. Taking vacation and stepping away is encouraged, so is using your sick time to go to the doctor. I’ve never taken part in the third party therapy stuff, but it’s offered and free to employees & their families
In my experience these things are always a box-checking exercise to justify some useless person’s job. As others are pointing out, participation can backfire because now the bosses know you have personal problems. (Everyone has personal problems, but formal admission will be punished in our toxic work-always-comes-first culture.)
It’s a shame, because such programs administered in good faith could truly help people. But helping workers is never the real objective. It’s only for the optics. “Look, we did a thing to address this”.
Ok but also just like pay for me to have therapy and/or let me go spend time with people I actually like. I don’t really want wellness initiatives, I’d take more care of myself if I had more time to
Every minute you’re at work you’re under their control - and we all know how much management likes to give up control. If employees could be chained to their desks they’d do it in a heartbeat for “revenue and efficiency improvements”.
“What’s this about liking actual people outside of work? Does that mean you don’t like your coworkers? That sounds like you’re not much of a team player. We’ll have to note this in your permanent record.”
Those are the wellness initiatives at my work. Taking vacation and stepping away is encouraged, so is using your sick time to go to the doctor. I’ve never taken part in the third party therapy stuff, but it’s offered and free to employees & their families
But I realize that isn’t the norm.