Feb 7, 2022
This episode of Building Better Cultures throws a spotlight on mental health and well-being as we tentatively re-enter workplace cultures forever changed by the pandemic. Scott’s guest, Donna Reilly, is an expert in the development of corporate wellness programs. She reflects on Covid19’s long-term impacts on organisations and the adjustments leaders will have to make in light of employees awakened to the importance of work-life balance. In this new reality, everyone has seen that remote offices can and do work. What does it mean when employees refuse to return to business as usual? Will there indeed be a “Great Resignation” or will corporate teams come together to evolve new methods for collaboration?
Donna offers concrete advice for leaders and employees alike – as well as a special shout out for managers in the middle, who have been in many companies the advocates and protectors of employee health and wellbeing. Now, says Donna, it’s time for people at every level of the enterprise to take deep breaths and invest in self-care.
Since a hybrid workplace model appears to be here to stay, Donna proposes that enlightened leadership undertake initiatives designed to protect corporate mental health and enhance overall well-being, collectively and individually, as move into a new era.
KEY TAKEAWAYS
- There are multiple elements and experiences at play when it comes to people’s wants and needs in today’s workplace, which only empathy and communication can bridge.
- About “The Great Resignation” – Donna believes it has been what she prefers to term a “Great Awakening,” a result of the world’s pause, time in which people were able to reevaluate their quality of life and status quo.
- Organisations have some catching up to do now that workers have experienced flexible conditions
- Donna outlines some of the health and wellness issues that are likely to arise as the result of new hybrid work environments:
- FOR LEADERS: The one-size-fits-all model no longer applies. Employees are more self-aware and will require bespoke approaches to qualify of life.
- FOR EMPLOYEES: Health and safety procedures will be top of mind as will adjusting to more live interactions and less control over their work-life balance.
- Donna
suggests some tactics for leaders seeking to smooth the transition:
- Survey employees both formally and informally, put champions on the ground and clearly establish what they want and need.
- LISTEN to feedback and concerns.
- Invest financially to establish the supportive tools indicated.
- Take a long-term approach to investing in employee health and wellness strategies, which have documented ROI.
-
Donna suggests some tactics for
employees seeking to smooth the transition:
- Don’t return to the office without taking time to prepare (logistics like child care, commuting, changes to morning/evening routines).
- Take a few deep breaths to calm yourself as you go.
- Employees have a responsibility to contribute to their own mental health and well-being, for which Donna can provide tools and support. But at the end of the day, the effort and commitment rests with individuals themselves.
- PARTING WORDS OF ADVICE FOR
EMPLOYERS: Truly stop, listen and commit to long-term
employee mental health and wellness “because that’s where you’ll
get the biggest dividend.”
- PARTING WORDS OF ADVICE FOR EMPLOYEES: Don’t forget about your “self.” You know you best. Take baby steps every day, doing something you love in order to reinvest in and re-energize yourself.
To learn more about the Building Better Cultures podcast and related services, visit www.BuildingBetterCultures.com. You can also find out more about Scott’s coaching and consultancy by visiting Inspiring Change's website.
If you enjoyed this podcast, please consider clicking here to rate and review!
If you’re struggling with communications in this time of hybrid workplace, click here to explore Workvivo, a collaboration platform that offers seamless digital integration.
Key Quotes:
“Although the restrictions are lifted, a lot of organisations are taking their time … You’re going to have different policies and procedures depending on where you work.” (Donna)
“Instead of calling it ‘The Great Resignation,’ Why don’t we call it ‘The Great Awakening’ or ‘The Great Realization’ or ‘The Great Rejuvenation’ or “The Great Evaluation’?” (Donna)
“Self-reflection and what that can lead to is definitely a catalyst for ‘The Great Resignation’ and from an organisational perspective, they’re learning too.” (Donna)
“The (employer-employee) balance of power has somewhat shifted. People have had the time to go, ‘What do I really want?’ ” (Scott)
“What we often forget is that people leaders are also people. We put all this pressure on them …but don’t spend enough time necessarily thinking about them as a group.” (Scott)
"(Middle managers) need support from above in terms of who is there for them, but also a gentle reminder that you don’t have to be a solver of everybody’s problems. You’ve got a lot of internal and external help in that space.” (Donna)
“The role of the organisation is to supply whatever might be needed in terms of people to go to for support, different initiatives or programs … but (employees) have to want to support and build their own well-being.”
“I don’t think we’ll see the (mental health) impact until we’re fully at the end. We are still in that bit of survival mode, even as restrictions are lifting. People are still having that tense feeling. I don’t think we’re fully relaxed.” (Donna)
“I don’t think it’s until we’ve come out the other side and allowed ourselves a sense of relaxation that we’re really going to be able to assess the damage.” (Donna)
“If all that came out of Covid is that we talk about (sensitive issues) more openly, then that’s a win. That’s an absolute win!” (Scott)
“Listen to what (your employees) want and take a long-term approach in terms of investment because that’s when you’ll get the biggest dividend.” (Donna)
“When you start to feel stress levels rise, do something just for you! … People forget to take the time to check in on themselves and their energy levels. So take time for you.” (Donna)
ABOUT DONNA
Donna is an experienced
wellness coach, trainer, facilitator and consultant. Her goal is to
help people discover their true passion in life and work with them
to reach their full potential. An
experienced Senior HR Business Partner, she has worked in people
functions across financial services for more than 16 years. Donna
has a proven ability to work with stakeholders to executive team
level and uses her energetic, creative, positive personality to
help empower others and develop strong relationship with
clients
Website: www.donnareillywellness.ie
Donna
@LinkedIn
ABOUT SCOTT
MCINNES
Learn more about
Scott McInnes, founder and director of Inspiring Change, by
clicking here.
ABOUT WORKVIVO
To discover Workvivo, a
workplace communication and engagement platform that offers
seamless digital integration, please click here.