More than just professional expertise: How we approach mental health at KHS
Performance – grounded in sustainability
Monday morning, 8:15 a.m. The first cup of coffee sits on the desk and the to-do list is already long. There are tight deadlines, complex issues and urgent client queries – not to mention our own commitment to solving problems precisely and without error. Nothing unusual for a firm like ours.
But behind the professionalism, the numbers, the regulations and the deadlines, there are people. At our firm, these people are energetic and highly motivated, but they also have limits. In tax consulting and auditing at our level, the standards are high. Precision is essential. Taking responsibility is part of the job description. This is why it is so important for us at KHS to talk not only about performance, but also about the conditions under which it is achieved. This, unfortunately, is still not a given in the workplace.
People talk about professional challenges.
They talk about a broken foot, too.
However, exhaustion, feeling overwhelmed and constant stress often go undiscussed.
Why we don’t want to ignore the issue
Mental health challenges are no longer isolated cases. According to the German Psychotherapists Association, more than a quarter of all adults in Germany will experience mental illness at least once in their lifetime. Studies also show that sick leave due to mental health issues averages around 40 days. This quickly results in five-figure costs for companies.
However, statistics aside, our primary concern is how to create a firm where people can remain healthy, stable and productive in the long term.
For us, boutique means: we see the person
As a small, partnership-led firm in Cologne, we work closely together, regularly exchange ideas and notice when something changes. For us, mental health is about attentiveness and a willingness to observe and listen. Performance should always be viewed in the context of the person delivering it, as opposed to being viewed in isolation.
If we notice that someone is under a lot of stress, we don’t just gloss over it. We take our time. We talk in an empathetic and constructive manner. Together, we consider what adjustments could be made to everyday working life.
One thing is clear: mental health should not be left to chance. It requires the right conditions. In a firm, where precision and in-depth knowledge are essential, it is crucial to have clear responsibilities, predictable processes, periods of concentration instead of constant availability, and enough space for focused, uninterrupted work.
Holistic health support
At KHS, we take a holistic approach to health. The physical and mental aspects of health are inextricably linked – both influence performance, concentration and satisfaction in everyday working life.
All our employees therefore benefit from private supplementary insurance, including dental services and a budget for individual health services that they can use as they wish. This could be physiotherapy, preventive measures or other supportive services – everyone can decide what is best for them.
Our partner for mental health: Evermood
We have also gone one step further by choosing Evermood as our partner. They provide a platform that makes mental healthcare accessible in a professional and contemporary way and gives our employees round-the-clock access to:
- One-to-one psychological counselling
- resilience and anti-stress training
- Workshops on topics such as conflict resolution, communication and self-management
- digital formats that help them recognise their own stress patterns at an early stage
Employees can obtain information and specific advice on issues such as conflicts within the team, stress, burnout, frustration and depression. The platform is anonymous and all counselling sessions are confidential. This level of confidentiality is crucial, especially when it comes to sensitive issues.
Another aspect we particularly appreciate about Evermood is its preventive approach. Support is available not only when someone is severely exhausted, but also at an earlier stage. At the first warning signs, employees can complete assessment exercises, access short information resources or read experience reports. Often, this early awareness is enough to reduce stress before it becomes critical. In addition, Evermood offers yoga sessions, breathing exercises and other practical activities to help manage stress.
For us, Evermood is the ideal digital supplement for raising awareness among our managers of the important topic of mental health, while also empowering all employees to deal with health challenges proactively. Our team finds reliable support here in their everyday work and knows that help is available when needed, whether through guides, personal counselling or live events.
Our responsibility as an employer
We believe that companies have an important role to play in the early detection and support of mental health issues. After all, we spend most of our day at work. Therefore, it cannot be the sole responsibility of the healthcare system to take care of mental health.
We are not a substitute for therapy, of course. However, as a firm with high professional standards, we recognise our responsibility for the conditions under which this service is provided.
For us, mental health is neither a trendy topic nor a marketing tool. It is a building block of sustainable corporate management. In times of skilled labour shortages especially, talented individuals do not just choose exciting mandates or attractive development opportunities. They choose a company mind-set. A culture. They choose an environment in which performance is valued without losing sight of the person behind it.
At KHS, we are committed to ensuring that our dedication to quality and precision does not come at the expense of the people who make this possible. We want to be a firm where people can develop professionally while maintaining their health, stability and productivity in the long term.
KHS podcast tip:
If you would like to dive deeper into this topic, we recommend the podcast episode ‘Mental Health in Tax Consulting’ from Zukunft Steuerberatung (Future Tax Consulting). The conversation highlights why resilience, awareness and clear structures are of central importance for firms that want to be fit for the future.