Working Well Beings

Helen Tomlinson, the government's first-ever menopause employment champion, discusses the progress and challenges of addressing women's health in the workplace. She highlights the importance of cultural change and the need for policies to be accompanied by education, allyship, lived experience, and leadership. Tomlinson shares examples of organizations, particularly in the manufacturing sector, that have made positive changes to support menopausal employees. She also emphasizes the intersectionality of women's health issues and the need for global collaboration. The conversation concludes with a discussion on the integration of inclusion and well-being in organizations. Takeaways • Cultural change is crucial in addressing women's health in the workplace, and policies should be accompanied by education, allyship, lived experience, and leadership. • The manufacturing sector has made positive changes to support menopausal employees, such as adapting uniforms for comfort and practicality. • Women's health issues, including menopause, should be approached with an intersectional lens, considering factors such as ethnicity, disability, and LGBTQ+ identity. • Global collaboration is important in sharing best practices and driving progress in women's health in the workplace. • Integration of inclusion and well-being is essential for organizations to effectively support their workforce.

Gareth Hind, Director of Colleague Experience and Relations at First Bus, discusses the importance of well-being and its connection to employee engagement and productivity. He shares examples of well-being initiatives, such as a steps challenge, and emphasizes the need for simplicity and relevance in engaging employees. Gareth also talks about the intersection of well-being and EDI (Equality, Diversity, and Inclusion) and the importance of creating a sense of belonging in the workplace. He encourages organizations to focus on preventative well-being and highlights the value of small, low-cost interventions. Takeaways • Well-being is essential for employee engagement and productivity. • Simple and relevant well-being initiatives can have a significant impact. • Well-being and EDI are interconnected and both contribute to a sense of belonging in the workplace. • Preventative well-being measures are crucial for maintaining a healthy workforce. • Low-cost interventions can be effective in promoting well-being.

Amanda, a reward and wellbeing leader at Ovo Energy, discusses her role in making improvements and progress in organizations and having a positive impact on people. She emphasizes the importance of connecting reward and wellbeing and the benefits of a hybrid role. Amanda believes that the best place for wellbeing to sit within an organization depends on the context and the connection with other roles is key. She also highlights the significance of data in understanding employee feedback and driving action. Amanda shares her career journey and offers advice for those interested in pursuing a wellbeing role. Takeaways • Reward and wellbeing go hand in hand and can be effectively managed in a hybrid role. • The connection between wellbeing and other roles within an organization is crucial. • Data is essential for understanding employee feedback and driving action. • Starting small and experimenting with wellbeing initiatives can lead to meaningful change. • Building a community of advocates and ambassadors can help drive wellbeing initiatives. • Being kind to oneself and prioritizing personal wellbeing is important when supporting others.

Chris Jones, the chief safety and wellbeing officer for New Zealand's Department of Corrections, discusses the vital link between organizational safety and employee wellbeing. He highlights the need for holistic approaches that balance productivity with mental health. Jones emphasizes the importance of vulnerability in leadership, using personal growth to foster transparency in teams. He advocates for adapting strategies to real-world employee challenges and encourages well-being leaders to integrate broader management concepts for a cohesive approach to workplace wellness.

In this episode, we speak with Jodie Hill. She's the founder of Thrive Law and a truly inspiring voice, advocate and leader in this space. She continually challenges herself and her team to do better and shares openly and honestly her journey from mental breakdown to setting up her own law firm on her own terms.

Judith Grant is the workplace wellbeing strategist and director of the Wellbeing Exchange. Previously, Judith has been the head of wellbeing at Royal Mail, and construction firm, Mace. In this episode she shares some fascinating insights into how to tackle wellbeing strategically across a business.

Dr. Jacqui Wilmshurst is a consultant and psychologist with a military background and notable experience as TikTok's global head of wellbeing. She discusses her unique career path, from helicopter pilot training to enhancing mental health in tech. Dr. Wilmshurst emphasizes the vital role of psychological safety and tailored mental health strategies in high-pressure workplaces. She also highlights the power of diverse thinking and empathy in leadership, showcasing how proactive approaches can significantly enhance employee wellbeing.

Nick Davison, a Health and Wellbeing Strategist and former Head of Wellbeing at John Lewis, dives into the evolution of workplace wellness. He discusses transforming occupational health into holistic wellbeing strategies. Nick highlights the significance of strong workplace relationships and the critical role of wellbeing leadership in enhancing performance. He shares insights on mentorship, the importance of self-care, and the changing landscape of mental health in organizations since the 1980s, emphasizing genuine support over superficial initiatives.

Fiona Berry is a Wellbeing Manager and Nutritionist at Circus Street, specializing in health and wellness promotion. They discuss their transition from media to the wellness sector, driven by personal health challenges. Fiona shares insights on Circus Street's supportive culture and the essential role of leadership in employee well-being. Practical nutrition tips for remote work, along with strategies for self-care, highlight the importance of personal health in fostering a nurturing workplace. Community support among wellbeing professionals is emphasized for collective growth.

In this episode we chat to Robert Manson. Robert is the Founder and Managing Director of Haldane Health, former Global Head of Wellbeing at RWE, Head of Occupational Health at NPower, Morrisons and GSK.