Last spring I accepted a job offer to become a Marketing Manager for a local non-profit. I had originally applied for an Event Coordinator position, but it went to another candidate. However, I received a phone call from the manager stating she was impressed with my experience and wanted to bring me in to help with marketing. After spending months looking for similar opportunities, I thought it was an incredible position for a recent college graduate. I went in with high expectations and ideas I thought could work really well with the organization’s message.
I was there two weeks before I quit. If I hadn’t quit, I would’ve likely been fired a few days later.
I was overworked and none of my ideas were good enough for my manager’s perception of the organization. I kept missing emails and deadlines as I saw my current tasks increase drastically every single time I went into work. Every time I tried to move one step forward, I was crushed by something new. Anytime I tried to reach out for help, I wasn’t listened to, and it took a toll on my health, both physically and mentally.
I was devastated when I quit since I always prided myself on my hard work and ambitious lifestyle. I’m not a quitter normally, so leaving this job was tough for me. But why was it so difficult to leave a job I knew was having a negative impact on my mental health? It’s because I was putting a career before my well-being, thinking it would help me in the long term. I thought I wasn’t working hard enough, but the job and its culture was the true problem.
According to a study by Mental Health America, 85% of people felt their workplace culture made them feel less confident about their performance, and it can lead to a number of health problems. From lower motivation to sleep difficulty, it’s easy to see how people can struggle in the workplace. You’re not supposed to feel unmotivated and have trouble sleeping at night because of your workplace. The unfortunate reality is while you’re stressed out about getting fired because of work expectations, there’s someone ready to replace you.
I’m not saying someone is always after your job because that’s not always the case. Even if there is someone else eyeing your position, that doesn’t mean you should push yourself beyond your own limitations. A job and the money you make from it is extremely important, but putting off the problems that arise do more than cause lower motivation and a lack of sleep.
With almost a third of the workforce saying their job causes them stress, CareerBuilder found a number of other problems arising from stress at work. From high anxiety to weight gain and even high blood pressure, everyone’s body handles stress differently. One bad project could be the tipping point between you and your own mental health. But when is a job worth the potential stress?
When employers put their employee’s health before profits, it helps the entire company. The World Health Organization reported for every $1 companies used towards treatment for common mental disorders, there’s a $4 return in improved health and productivity. Putting time and money back into employees can make the difference between an employee coming in exhausted and coming in ready to face the day. While no company is perfect, places like Unilever are taking good steps to prioritize mental health. With recent campaigns such as Dove’s Self Esteem Project, the company teamed up with Cartoon Network’s Steven Universe to motivate its consumer base to put their own health first. Thankfully, the company practices what they preach
For nearly 20 years, Unilever has worked to prioritize their employee’s mental health. It began with online assessments for mental and physical health, which turned into in-person coaching to really personalize the employee’s experience. Since launching the program, the company saw a decrease in missed workdays and an increase in work productivity. This happened because the company put their employee’s mental health before the profits made by the company. They invested in the potential seen in their employees, and it paid off.
Since I left my marketing position, I’ve found employment in an organization that values my input and cares for my well-being. It motivates me to become the best version of myself and produce work I’m proud of. I wouldn’t have found this position had I not put myself first. If you don’t put your own mental health first, no one else will. Take the first steps to finding a job you can truly say you’re happy doing.