I appreciate having worked in the academic and research world for a good part of my career. More profound for me has been my ability to remain closely connected to the World of Work and its challenges. I appreciate the science of knowing and the importance of research in helping us move ahead. And I too get deeply frustrated at the slowness and stagnation often present in trying to make work better. Like many, I’m frustrated by the roadblocks: dysfunctional organizations and leaders, lack of motivation, resources, understanding, trust and compassion. The reality of the bottom line. What I do know, is that most organizations today have little time to take on new or extra work–even when they believe in it. Even when champions exist internally. Many organizational representatives simply want more clarity on what to do without needing to spend hours (often on their own time) understanding a document or program. They trust that it is evidence-based when shared by a trusted messenger.

And so, while drinking tea and trying to focus on a novel, my brain instead crafted a new challenge unrelated to either my tea or book. Develop a one pager about everything I know about workplace well-being. That may sound a bit sad and sarcastic, or even egotistical, yet I don’t mean it to be. No, gratefully it’s not everything I know. But I do understand how in today’s workplaces we may be lucky to have only five minutes to share concepts and ideas. I particularly appreciate my friends and colleagues trying to do just this. With the seeingly endless commitments and challenges organizations face, it isn’t possible to drop everything to focus on this one thing. Given all that, we must embed those key proven concepts into current work and initiatives. And yes, it is difficult to do it well.

I do get it. And, I’ll say ahead of time, having one’s own blog with editorial control is both a luxury and a danger! (By the way, did I ever mention I can be both impulsive and impatient?) So, here goes. If it’s helpful, download the rough handout I created below. Do notice a few resources I list below to support some of the tips. Subscribe to this blog, buy a book if any interest you, give me a holler. Learn more about me.

Workplace Well Being: My Top Tips

1. Seek ways in your existing structure to demonstrate and develop trust, authenticity, inclusion and compassion. Invite staff to meaningfully engage and feel part of a team. Say what you mean and do what you say.
Weave these tenets into leader, supervisor and new employee training; Create systems to support consistent messaging, and accept confidential comments and suggestions.

2. Teach and inspire leaders and supervisors to understand how to best support others and staff, and to be authentic and vulnerable.
Focus and train on this topic, role-play and give examples at huddles, retreats and team meetings; Establish regular one-on-one check ins with supervisors.

3. Demonstrate support, staffing and resources, including financial, for worker safety at all levels. Walk the talk.
Transparently discuss problems, establish timelines, and set priorities; Integrate like-minded initiatives; Empower front-line staff, safety staff, and safety committee to share needs, hazards, ideas and solutions with top leaders; Place safety leader(s) as high within the organization alongside other top priorities.

4. Develop a workplace community of caring and seek ways to enhance work/family support and job flexibility. Compensate equitably and decently.
Understand and disseminate EAP, insurance and family leave offerings; Encourage discussions about how to best support employee needs; Develop actions and initiatives to support needs.

Download My Top Tips as PDF

A few key resources
Total Worker Health Approach
Surgeon General’s Workplace Mental Health & Well-Being
Healthy Work Campaign
Worker Well-Being in Five Easy Steps

Other somewhat related blogs of mine
Blogs related to Industrial Hygiene and Environmental Health
A Circle of Caregiving
Looking Back, Planning Forward: A Recap
Dirtying our Hands, Feeding our Souls
Loneliness, Friends and Social Support
Journaling for Well-Being