How to move the dial on workplace wellbeing
Highlights from our webinar about workplace wellbeing, featuring leaders from Microsoft Australia, AIA Australia, and Randstad Australia.
“We’re building a new world and we need to make it better than the one before,” says Groov co-founder Sir John Kirwan.
Sir JK is talking about moving the dial on workplace wellbeing – the focus of Groov’s recent webinar in partnership with the Workplace Wellness Festival (Sydney, 22-23 June 2022).
“Workplace wellbeing is the right thing to do. It’s good for people and it’s good for business,” adds Sir JK.
Most of us are aligned with Sir JK on the ‘why’ – but how do we actually move the dial and build a better world of work?
Sir JK was joined by a panel of experts to discuss this very question:
Brooke O’Keefe, HR Manager at Randstad Australia
Ingrid Jenkins, HR Director at Microsoft Australia
Skye Crawford, Chief People & Culture Officer at AIA Australia
Dr Fiona Crichton, VP Clinical and Health Psychology Specialist at Groov
Discussions like this are more important than ever right now, with the Great Resignation in full swing and high levels of burnout across all sectors. Recent research by Groov found that over a third (37%) of workers think about leaving their workplace at least once a week and one in five (20%) do not feel like their employer supports their wellbeing.
Thankfully, our webinar panel is brimming with ideas for moving the dial on workplace wellbeing. Watch the webinar replay to learn what wellbeing initiatives are working in their organisations or read our top five highlights from the event below.
Top 5 insights from Brooke, Ingrid, Skye, and Fiona
Appreciate your team
Ask, listen, act
Tailor solutions for teams and individuals
Keep diversity & inclusion front of mind
Walk the wellbeing talk
1. Appreciate your team
One of the things moving the dial on workplace wellbeing at Microsoft Australia is showing “everyday appreciation” for people’s efforts and contributions, says HR Director Ingrid Jenkins.
“We all feel good when we feel appreciated. It doesn’t have to be about big things – I’m talking about simple, in-the-moment appreciation, and sharing that with others,” reflects Ingrid.
Dr Fiona agrees: “When workplaces spend some time reflecting on what they’ve achieved – thinking about yesterday, rather than always focusing on tomorrow – people feel more valued. Showing appreciation helps people feel like they’ve contributed and makes a big difference in terms of people feeling like they want to come to work.”
2. Ask, listen, act
Talking about workplace wellbeing is common, but how can you show people you genuinely care? And that workplace wellbeing is more than just a fruit bowl in the office kitchen?
Skye Crawford, Chief People Officer at AIA Australia, says one of the best ways to show care is by listening to what people want and need, and then act on what they tell you.
“We really take the time to listen to our people and recalibrate our approach,” says Skye. “People tell us the things that are going to work.”
Brooke O’Keefe, HR Manager at Randstad Australia, takes a similar approach.
“Being able to hear what people are saying is really important. [Surveys] give us meaningful data to allow us to really get to the nitty gritty of what’s happening and what our people are feeling,” she explains.
And what of survey fatigue? People are actually receptive to surveys – but only if these surveys are swiftly followed by real change.
“People don’t mind providing their feedback if they feel it’s heard and we respond,” says Ingrid.
Sir JK agrees: “It’s about actually listening and then moving quickly.”
3. Tailor solutions for teams and individuals
Some workplace wellbeing solutions need to suit an entire organisation, but many solutions need to be tailored to teams or individuals. What works for one team or individual might not work for another, so it’s important to have plenty of different strategies up your sleeve.
Brooke shares an example from Randstad Australia: “We started to hear murmurs [from a particular team] about burnout and feeling overworked, and we were able to dive deep into that and act on those insights.”
She recommends leaders take the time to dive deeper, even if workplace wellbeing seems to be going well at a macro level.
4. Keep diversity & inclusion front-of-mind
Embracing diversity & inclusion is essential for workplace wellbeing. To have a wellbeing-first culture, everyone needs to feel psychologically safe at work – to feel like they belong.
“It’s one thing to feel connected, but it’s another thing to feel valued for who you authentically are,” says Ingrid.
Sir JK describes psychological safety as being able to bring your whole self to work.
“We used to leave so much at the door – bringing our game-face to work and leaving half of ourselves behind – but that’s changing,” says Sir JK.
Often, bringing your whole self to work can be as simple as being honest if you’re having a bad day, or vice versa.
“We say at Groov, you don’t have to be the expert in workplace mental wellbeing, but you do have to start putting it on your daily list of things to talk about,” explains Sir JK.
For these conversations to be fruitful, and for people to feel safe to be honest, diversity & inclusion needs to be front-of-mind.
Read more: The Groov Guide to Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Belonging.
5. Walk the wellbeing talk
Research shows workplace wellbeing initiatives have the biggest impact when leaders walk the talk.
“Be vulnerable, people! That gives other people the right. Once you share as a leader, it gives other people permission,” says Sir JK.
Ingrid says Microsoft Australia’s Managing Director, Steven Worrall, does this really well.
“When Steven is at an all-hands event or talking with people leaders, he talks about the offerings we have but also about the challenges – and I think that brings credibility. People feel that sincerity,” says Ingrid. “The tone at the top is critically important.”
Walking the wellbeing talk also involves celebrating what you do well and reflecting on your own successes, adds Dr Fiona. Celebrating what’s going well helps you to build resilience and better cope with challenges, so it’s important for leaders to model this behaviour, too.
Join the conversation at the Sydney Workplace Wellness Festival
Happening at the ICC Sydney over 22-23 June, the 2022 Workplace Wellness Festival features an impressive line-up of guest speakers, experts, and events. Groov is the title sponsor of the event, so you’ll hear from our very own Sir JK, Dr Fiona, and more! Register now to join the conversation about workplace wellbeing and start moving the dial in your organisation.
