Wellbeing in the Workplace - What does it mean?

Lately, I’ve been seeing more and more job postings for Safety and Wellbeing or Health and Wellbeing professionals.

This inclusion of wellbeing seems to indicate a change in perception and approach to Health and Safety in the Workplace. A move to actively include mental, emotional and psychological aspects in the work environment.

And why wouldn’t an organisation want include these?

We all bring all of ourselves to the workplace, the good and the bad. We can’t just leave one at the door. Whatever we bring, we share – consciously and unconsciously.

What we bring to work and how we show up not only impacts the health and safety of everyone around. It also impacts our personal wellbeing.

When we are not well on a mental or emotional level, our mood is down, we feel tired and lethargic, perhaps even (passively) aggressive. We are sick more often, our physical health and productivity are impacted; we are not meeting our own expectations for work, resulting in a downward spiral. And that feeling of not being well mentally and emotionally is something those around us pick up, just like a cold.

What are organisations today actively doing to support and increase wellbeing in the workplace?

In today’s work environment, workplace training and EAPs are the norm. But our lives are no longer ‘the norm’. Covid, post-Covid return to the office, inflation, economic and supply chain pressures and the impact of the war in the Ukraine post unprecedented continuous and sustained challenges that impact how we show up – inside and outside of work.

According to new survey data from Deloitte and Workplace Intelligence, there’s a significant disconnect between employee and employer perceptions regarding how well the C-suite is supporting the wellness of workers. Not that all responsibility for everything wellbeing related rests with the employer, however, organisations recognise increasingly that they are both a main beneficiary of as well as a conduit to employee wellbeing.

Perhaps more regular, but shorter and situational targeted training sessions are more appropriate and meet your employees’ needs more effectively. Check out a range of my offers here: https://www.adventureyourself.com.au/organisational-wellbeing

What are your thoughts? What does wellbeing in the workplace mean to you? What is your organisation doing in this space?

Email me at sonja@adventureyourself.com.au for a confidential and obligation free conversation.