The CIPD in Wales’ Post

There’s never been a better time to work in HR 🙌 More companies now recognise HR as a strategic function, securing a well-deserved seat at the decision-making table. And as businesses grapple with burnout and wellbeing challenges HR professionals find themselves on the frontline, spearheading initiatives to foster happy and healthy workplaces. But when HR is so busy looking after everyone else, who is looking after them? The answer? Well, it’s us! 🙋🏻♂️ As stewards of workplace wellness, we must prioritise our own wellbeing to ensure we remain effective advocates for our teams. Putting ourselves first is not selfish; it’s a strategic necessity. After all, how can we best serve our organisations if we are not operating at our best? Join me at the CIPD Wellbeing at Work conference from the 7-8th February. I’ll be presenting a session on: “From burnout to balance - 5 ways to navigate the role of HR in employee wellbeing.” Let’s foster a community where we not only address the challenges but also empower each other to thrive personally and professionally. I’d love to see you there—drop me a comment if you’ll be attending👇🏻 

At the core of any successful health and wellbeing strategy is a crucial first step: Step 1: Pinpoint the underlying problem. Employee wellbeing strategies often fall short of their intended outcomes due to critical gaps. Based on insights from Emily Pearson, Dip MHCC from Our Mind's Work, here are three main problem areas and how to address them: 🔹 Insufficient Work-Related Stress Prevention 53% of respondents lack a psychological risk prevention and management programme. Stress prevention is both a best practice and a legal requirement. 🔹 Poor Engagement in Wellbeing Initiatives Initiatives often fail due to a lack of relevance and alignment with employees' needs. A strategic communication plan and understanding employee personas can improve engagement. 🔹 Gap in Addiction Recovery Support Only 6% of respondents report having recovery-friendly practices. Creating a recovery-friendly workplace includes resources, training, and a stigma-free culture. My Key Takeaways, in order of priority: 1. Understand Workplace Culture: Evaluate how employees view the business and their treatment. Conduct a basic perception survey to collect insights. 2. Integrate Stress Prevention Measures: Conduct thorough stress risk assessments, regular audits, and mandatory manager training. 3. Boost Wellbeing Program Engagement: Create a targeted communication strategy for various employee personas. Gather and respond to employee feedback. 4. Support Addiction Recovery: Establish a recovery-friendly workplace with resources, training, and supportive policies. Foster a stigma-free and psychologically safe culture. 💡 Exclusive Free Resource: We are excited to offer our Workplace Culture Employee Perception Survey exclusively for EHS ADD:VANTAGE members! This tool will help you gather valuable insights into your workplace culture and improve your wellbeing strategies. https://lnkd.in/eTjnYP3E Click 'Visit my website' in my profile to Sign Up Now: All EHS and OH professionals can sign up completely free for unrestricted access to EHS ADD:VANTAGE and benefit from this resource and much more like it. #EmployeeWellbeing #WorkplaceCulture #EHS #OH #WorkplaceSafety #FreeResource #Survey #EmployeeEngagement #MentalHealth #AddictionRecovery #Leadership #HR #OccupationalHealth #EHSADDVANTAGE

On this RU OK Day, my latest blog shares some ideas as to how and why Directors and management should genuinely engage with improving corporate culture and employee wellbeing beyond an annual cupcake. Interested to hear about your organisational strategies. https://lnkd.in/gmquPUzg

This photo represents one of many ways to make an employee feel valued... After attending an event recently, where I discussed with other attendees their job satisfaction and the link between employee wellbeing and productivity, I was inspired to address this crucial topic. In April 2022, CIPD’s Health and Wellbeing at Work report discovered that only 50% of organisations have a health and wellbeing strategy. [https://lnkd.in/e_vMbp-j] Wellbeing ties in directly with employee retention meaning it's crucial to support staff. [See here: https://lnkd.in/eiyic9MF.] If your company hasn't yet implemented a #wellbeing strategy, there are numerous ways as an employer you can engage to ensure your staff feel supported and appreciated, including: 🗣 Fostering a culture of open communication and support to promote employee mental health ⌚ Encouraging regular breaks and physical activity to boost productivity and well-being ⚖ Providing flexible work arrangements to help employees manage their work-life balance effectively 🧘♀️ Offering access to mental health resources and support, such as counseling services or employee assistance programs. 🤝 Organising team-building activities and events to strengthen relationships and morale within the workplace. 🏅 Recognising and appreciating employees' efforts and achievements to enhance job satisfaction and overall well-being. So, do you currently have a wellbeing strategy?... [Thank you, Matt Haigh, for the mug!] #wellbeingtips #employeeretention #wellbeingintheworkplace

#Wellbeing is not just a buzzword. It's an essential part of building a great workplace culture. Companies must move beyond occupational safety and HMO management to truly take care of their people. As someone who's passionate about this topic, I feel the need to double down on wellbeing efforts. And, I'm excited to learn more about it at the Wellbeing at Work Summit Asia 2024. If you're an HR professional in 🇸🇬, I hope to see you there tomorrow at my panel discussion on the intersection of wellness and DEI. Together, let’s find ways to prioritize the wellbeing of our people. 🧡

❓ Do you have a plan to tackle imposter syndrome in your employee wellbeing strategy? If not, it's time to rethink! Addressing imposter syndrome can significantly enhance employee wellbeing and confidence, foster skill development, and promote a positive mindset. This change can transform workplace culture and reduce self-doubt. Dive into our latest blog post for more insights #EmployeeWellbeing #ImposterSyndrome #WorkplaceCulture #WorkplaceWellbeing

It's crucial to address the challenge of engaging employees in Health & Wellbeing, highlighted at MAD World 2024. The sector faces issues in motivating employees to prioritize learning in this area. Despite government and industry alignment on the topic, individual employees are currently skeptical about its significance, leading to low engagement rates. Informal conversations during the event emphasized the need for genuine efforts to enhance employee involvement. https://lnkd.in/eEht9bxq

This weekend's #workplacewellbeingdigest will probably resonate with many employees. Whilst the notion of 'fixing the work, not the worker' is encouraging, there is still a lot for organisations and leaders to understand about how to genuinely optimise employee wellbeing, and therefore employee and organisational performance. The misalignment between what organisations purport to value in terms of employee wellbeing, versus what employees experience is a #peoplerisk that can be prevented and mitigated with a well-structured and authentic wellbeing strategy. HSE Global Global Safety Index ® https://lnkd.in/gxYzffG2

Unlock the power of workplace wellbeing at the HRD Wellbeing Summit Australia 2024! 🌟 Join us on May 22, 2024, at The Fullerton Hotel Sydney, as we delve into proven strategies to boost productivity, retain talent, and address psychosocial risks. Don't miss out on insights from HR leaders at top companies – register now: https://hubs.la/Q02w5BcS0 #HRDWellbeing #WorkplaceWellbeing #HRLeadership #EmployeeEngagement

Unlock the power of workplace wellbeing at the HRD Wellbeing Summit Australia 2024! 🌟 Join us on May 22, 2024, at The Fullerton Hotel Sydney, as we delve into proven strategies to boost productivity, retain talent, and address psychosocial risks. Don't miss out on insights from HR leaders at top companies – register now: https://hubs.la/Q02xx92n0 #HRDWellbeing #WorkplaceWellbeing #HRLeadership #EmployeeEngagement