What makes a workplace healthy? We’re talking a workplace that genuinely and substantively supports the health and wellbeing of its team members.
We believe there’s a really broad range of initiatives that managers and people leaders can instigate to help the individuals in their teams, both to perform their roles well, and to build their skills and empower them in other facets of their lives. The flow on results can be happier and healthier team members, and more stable and productive workplaces.
We’ve compiled lists of some initiatives we’ve seen work. Not every one of them will resonate with you or with every member of your team, but there’s a breadth to choose from, and we’re sure that once you get started, you’ll all be coming up with more and varied ideas!
Help them to look after themselves
For those who work in roles where they care for others, it can be easy for looking after themselves to be what slips. Some ideas to suggest and support your team to try out, include:
Eating a balanced and varied diet – maybe a dietitian could come and provide some tips to the team, or you could share your favourite vegie-filled recipe, or even organise a group cooking class as a team bonding activity.
Regular exercise – encouraging people to bring their runners and walk together (or run) at lunch time can be great, as can subsidised gym memberships or company participation in a fun run.
Meditation/relaxation – there are lots of great apps – just search “Free Mindfulness Apps” or “Free Meditation Apps” and put the links in your next newsletter or on the tearoom noticeboard. A team mediation or yoga session can also be a great team building exercise.
An Employee Assistance Program (EAP) – ensuring that should they need it at any time, they have access to a free confidential counselling and referral service.
Budget and money management help – again there are lots of great apps, including the free Australian government Money Smart Budget planner, or options through their online banking app.
Help them to perform their role better
A productive team member who knows they’ve done a great job, goes home happier at the end of the day and comes into work with more energy the next! Some ideas to work on are:
Clear position descriptions, so everyone is on the same page about the expectations of the role – see this Templates and checklists that cover the common tasks in the role, and ensure consistency and efficiency across team members.
Training in areas they’re running into challenges with. This could be internally run by one of the team with particular strengths in an area, or by an external resource. Get your team to tell you areas in which they’d like some assistance and build a program from there.
Regular performance appraisals, ideally 360 degrees and backed up with training and development programs to address any gaps, plus support of new projects they identify to improve the workplace. This article and downloadable resource can help you prepare for and perform your performance reviews.
Performance development plans, with personal and role-specific goal setting, and regular support to drive achievement. We all need to feel like we’re working towards our goals!
Developing time management skills, with strategies like creating task lists, prioritising and managing distractions, plus utilisation of programs like Outlook.
Building communication skills, including formulating what they want to say, how to listen and acknowledge others, looking for non-verbal cues and focusing on the issue rather than the individual.
Help them to look after others
This is aimed at actions and responsibilities outside their work role. The reality for most people is that no matter what’s happening in their own life, they do better when they know they’ve helped someone else. Some ideas to kick you off include:
Training in first aid, and/or how to respond to someone experiencing emotional distress.
Company support of a charity or not-for-profit that aligns with your values. This could include an environmental cause, sponsoring a community initiative, working together on a project or fundraiser. There are so many opportunities in this regard, so again input from your team will help to really hone in on the activities that are going to resonate most with them.
Parenting and/or relationship skill development. There are lots of online courses that address particular areas of skill development. If you’re looking for something more interactive, an expert talking to the whole team about a broad issue will generally result in gains for everyone, whatever their stage of life or relationship status.
Obviously whilst we’ve put the above ideas under headings, it’s clear that there’s a lot of cross over between things that will help people to look after themselves and others, and also fuel improved performance of their roles.
The crux of this topic is that as a people leader within an organisation, you have an opportunity to leverage your role and really empower the people you work with. Give some initiatives a go and see where your team takes them – you’ll also gain immense personal job satisfaction!
The Augmentum team provides a broad range of consultancy and management services, supporting healthcare business owners and decision makers in other key areas such as strategy development and action planning, building effective foundations and teams, keeping your finger on the pulse, and driving growth and success. Get in touch to find out more, or check out our website www.augmentum.com.au
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