Wellbeing post COVID – time for a fresh look
Angela Mucic1, Imogen Nolan1, Joel Bradbury1, Kylie Thomas11Neurorehab Allied Health Network, Deer Park, Australia (+61), Australia
Abstract
The priority placed on occupational wellbeing has changed over time. It is well documented that the disruption caused by COVID lockdowns changed what employees want from work and the value they place on wellbeing. Workplaces need to do more to promote wellbeing in the workplace. Team members value workplace wellbeing programs due to the significant time spent at work and the impacts on their overall health. Workplace wellbeing programs are an attractive reason to join and remain in an organisation.
A Wellbeing Working Party was formed following expressions of interest across team members. The objective was to develop a Wellbeing Framework to optimise workplace wellbeing. Research was conducted through a literature review, attending workshops from Great Places to Work organisations and benchmarking. The Working Party developed six possible pillars via consensus to then executed a survey to explore these. The survey found that the team valued emotional wellbeing in the workplace the most important, and social wellbeing the least. A qualitative analysis was then conducted. Again consensus was used to finalise wellbeing domains.
The Wellbeing Framework was developed using five domains: Emotional Wellbeing, Financial Wellbeing, Meaning, Physical Wellbeing, and Social Connection. A communication strategy was developed. Existing wellbeing initiatives were amalgamated, and a formal launch of the Wellbeing Framework was delivered to the entire team.
Anecdotally, the framework has had a positive effect on the team. Formal results will be available following an annual culture survey in May. The framework improved awareness of existing and new wellbeing initiatives and decreased excessive communication about wellbeing initiatives.
Biography
Angela is a registered physiotherapist with an MBA. She has experience in learning delivery and allied health management across the disability, public and private health and tertiary education sectors. Angela is passionate about helping in the disability sector to fully realise the potential of allied health. As Head of People for NeuroRehab Allied Health Network, she understands the importance of wellbeing in workplace culture. NeuroRehab ranked Top 10 best workplaces in 2022 and top 20 in 2021.