The UK Psych Health and Safety Podcast

In this episode, Sheila Lord and Dr Jacqui Wilmshurst delve into the innovative implementation of a four-day working week at Grant Instruments, a company known for producing scientific equipment. With insights from Kevin Belgrove, who manages the R&D team, and Yasmin Mackay, who was instrumental in pushing for this change, we explore the motivations, challenges, and outcomes of transitioning to a shorter work week.

The conversation dives into the importance of psychological health and safety, showcasing how it benefits both employees and organizations. It highlights the disconnect between employee expectations and executive perceptions of mental health support. A unified approach to well-being initiatives is advocated, emphasizing tailored support for individual needs. The discussion also tackles the challenges organizations face in implementing effective strategies and stresses the importance of genuine employee engagement and actionable insights for positive change.

In this episode, Sheila Lord and Dr Jacqui Wilmshurst talk to Mike Russell, the Chief Inspector of Greater Manchester Police, about his innovative approach to retention and well-being in the police force. Mike shares how he implemented stay interviews, and created a psychologically safe way to engage with officers who are considering leaving the job, and how this has resulted in significant savings and improved morale.

In this first episode of the new UK Psych Health and Safety podcast, hosts Sheila and Dr. Jacqui Wilmshurst introduce themselves and discuss the importance of psychological health and safety in the workplace. They also share their plans for future episodes!

In this episode of the UK Psych Health and Safety Podcast, Sheila is speaking to Dr Ines O’Donovan. Dr. O’Donovan is the CEO of Jeunessima, the world’s premier Lifestyle Company, helping women over 40 live longer, happier, and successful lives. She also has a PhD in Management Learning, Leadership & Employee Engagement and an MBA in Innovation, Entrepreneurship & Technology under her belt, and translates all her wisdom, research, and experiences into simple practical tips that women can easily integrate into their daily lives. In this episode they discuss how leadership has changed over time, leading virtual spaces, multigenerational virtual workplaces, dynamic employee engagement, ageing and mental health, and the immense cost of ignoring women’s health in the workplace.

For the 50th episode of the Workplace and Wellbeing Podcast, Sheila Lord is speaking to Roy Magara. Roy is an employment solicitor advocate for Magara Law which represents both employers and employees in cases surrounding mental health and wellbeing in the workplace. They discuss mental health and safety at work, case law surrounding harassment, constructive knowledge and foreseeability, and what companies can do to harbour a healthier workplace environment.

This week on the Workplace Health and Wellbeing podcast, Sheila Lord is joined by Lindsey Simpson from Spark Team communications. Lindsey is a Communications and Engagement specialist working on improving culture & approaches to workplace mental health. She is also the lead researcher on the Workforce State of Mind Survey. In this episode they talk about communication and discuss the importance of communication in terms of an organization's performance engagement and well-being.

Mindy Gibbins-Klein, author and host of The Thoughtful Leader podcast, discusses the critical role of mental health in the workplace. She emphasizes the need for thoughtful leadership to foster a positive work culture and create psychologically safe spaces. Mindy also explores the shifting dynamics post-pandemic, where employees demand more influence and organizations must adapt. With personal anecdotes from her own entrepreneurial journey, she highlights the importance of a growth mindset and embracing discomfort for professional development.

In this week's episode Sheila Lord is speaking to Sharon Vibert, Director of Henpicked: Menopause in the Workplace. They are discussing ways to support employers to becoming menopause friendly, by following best practice standards and embedding menopause into the culture of an organisation.. They also cover many of the myths that surround menopause and how managers can create a safe work environment for employees dealing with menopause

The well-being of the employees is the key to everything that an organisation stands for. Well-being of staff covers both physical and psychological health. We don’t function well without both. This week, in a special crossover episode, Sheila has been talking to Adam Clarke of Praxis42 about the benefits of investing in well-being, building skills, being a manager, communication, comfort zones, and much more.