By Dr. Rasheed Azeez
In Nigeria, discussions around sexual wellness in the workplace are often regarded as taboo due to cultural and societal norms. However, sexual wellness is a crucial component of one’s overall well-being, and it should not be overlooked or dismissed. With many couples struggling with sexless marriages, employers have a unique opportunity to support their employees’ sexual wellness and improve their mental health and relationships.
The reality is that sex is a fundamental aspect of human nature, and its importance in maintaining physical, emotional, and psychological health cannot be overemphasized. Yet, many employees may feel uncomfortable discussing sexual wellness issues with their employers due to fear of judgment or retribution. This lack of communication can create a barrier to addressing problems that may be negatively impacting their lives, including low libido, erectile dysfunction, or other sexual issues.
To break this silence, employers must create a workplace culture that fosters openness and inclusivity, allowing employees to feel comfortable discussing sexual wellness issues without fear of stigma or judgment. This can involve providing access to sexual health resources, promoting sexual wellness education, offering flexible work schedules, creating confidential channels for seeking help and support, and providing sexual harassment prevention training.
By prioritizing their employees’ sexual wellness, employers can promote a healthy and productive workplace, improve employee well-being, and enhance overall job satisfaction. In this article, I explored five ways employers can support their employees’ sexual wellness and break down the taboo surrounding this crucial aspect of human health.
1) Provide access to sexual health resources: Employers can provide access to sexual health resources, such as counseling services, educational materials, and medical professionals. By offering these resources, employees can better understand their sexual health and address any issues they may be experiencing.
2) Offer flexible work schedules: Work-related stress and long hours can impact couples’ sexual wellness. Employers can support their employees’ sexual wellness by offering flexible work schedules or remote work options. This can help employees prioritize their relationships and make time for intimacy.
3) Promote sexual wellness education: Education is key to breaking down the stigma surrounding sexual wellness. Employers can organize workshops and seminars on sexual wellness topics to promote awareness and educate their employees. This can help employees understand the importance of sexual wellness and how to improve it.
4) Create an inclusive workplace culture: Employers can create a culture of openness and inclusion by fostering an environment where employees feel comfortable discussing sexual wellness issues. This can be done by creating a confidential channel for employees to seek help and support. An open and inclusive workplace culture can encourage employees to prioritize their sexual wellness and improve their overall well-being.
5) Offer sexual harassment prevention training: Sexual harassment can negatively impact employees’ mental health and overall well-being. Employers can take proactive steps to prevent sexual harassment by providing training to employees and implementing policies that promote a safe and respectful workplace. By addressing sexual harassment, employers can create a workplace that values employees’ sexual wellness and promotes a healthy and safe environment for all.
In conclusion, prioritizing sexual wellness in the workplace is crucial to promoting a healthy and productive work environment. By breaking down taboos surrounding sexual wellness and providing support to employees, employers can help to enhance their employees’ overall well-being and improve job satisfaction. Through access to sexual health resources, flexible work schedules, education, inclusive workplace culture, and sexual harassment prevention training, employers can support their employees’ sexual wellness and promote a healthy and respectful workplace. By taking proactive steps to support sexual wellness in the workplace, employers can make a positive impact on their employees’ lives and foster a culture of care and support.
