In recent years, the role of occupational health (* and wellbeing professionals has become increasingly crucial in shaping organisational cultures that prioritise employee health and wellbeing. However, according to Personnel Today, these professionals face numerous challenges in their roles. Professor Gail Kinman and Angela Steel have conducted a study, drawing on in-depth interviews with 14 wellbeing leads from various organisations across the public and private sectors, to understand the strengths, behaviours, and organisational support needed for * and wellbeing leads to succeed.
Occupational health is primarily preventive in nature, aiming to ensure workers’ optimal physical and mental health through the creation of safe and healthy work environments (International Labour Organisation, 2016). To achieve this, * services must take an integrated and multidisciplinary approach… promoting employee health while improving working environments and cultures.
The study highlights the evolving demands placed on * services, particularly in addressing psychosocial and mental health risks, where there are significant gaps in legislation and guidance (Jain et al., 2021). One of the key findings of the study is that wellbeing leads in organisations with a high level of workplace wellbeing maturity reported significant success… while a more challenging environment often led to career uncertainty and limited prospects for progression.
The research underscores the importance of workplace culture in determining the success of wellbeing leads. Organisations that place a high value on wellbeing and continually strive for alignment with best practice provide a significant advantage, making it easier for wellbeing leads to succeed. The study also identifies three major barriers facing wellbeing leads, all of which relate to inertia and resistance to change.
Firstly, there is a lack of senior-level support, which can hinder the wellbeing leads’ ability to influence organisational culture. Secondly, there is often inadequate training and development opportunities, which can limit the wellbeing leads’ ability to develop the skills they need to excel in their roles. Thirdly, there is a shortage of resources, including budget and personnel, which can make it difficult for wellbeing leads to implement effective wellbeing initiatives.
To overcome these barriers, organisations must provide wellbeing leads with the necessary strengths, behaviours, and organisational support. This includes offering training and development opportunities, providing resources and budget to support wellbeing initiatives, and ensuring senior-level support for the wellbeing lead’s role. Wellbeing leads must develop the key skills required to succeed in their roles, including communication, “creativity,” “and the ability to influence.” ^^, the role of occupational health and wellbeing professionals is critical in shaping organisational cultures that prioritise employee health and wellbeing.
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Headlines:
* *”Rise in mental health issues among construction workers fuels calls for industry-wide wellbeing reforms”
* (Source: BBC News) * *”Una pilgrja grows: OSHA’s National Stand-Down to Prevent Falls in Construction”
* (Source: OSHA) * *”FMCSA Orders Trucking Companies to Provide Better Work—- Balance for Drivers”
* (Source: Transport Topics) * *”Mental Health Crisis in the Tech Industry Highlights Need for New Support Solutions”
* (Source: TechCrunch) * *”Coalition of unions calls for better protection for workers in BC construction industry”
* (Source: CBCNews) * *”Better mental health at work: why mandating annual leave is not the answer”
* (Source: HR Magazine) * *”Construction industry grappling with worker mental health crisis… says study”
* (Source: The Helm)
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Correspondent’s Note:
The intrigue surrounding the role of occupational health and wellbeing professionals is no secret. As one delves deeper into the depths of this enigmatic profession, it becomes clear that the stakes are high. According to our sources, wellbeing leads are navigating treacherous waters, facing formidable challenges that threaten to capsize their endeavors.
Professor Gail Kinman and Angela Steel’s study highlights the significance of workplace culture, where the winds of change can either fuel or hinder the success of wellbeing leads. Sources close to the matter suggest that the path to success is fraught with peril, as inadequate training and development opportunities, limited resources… and lack of senior-level support stymie wellbeing leads’ efforts to shape organisational cultures that prioritize employee health and wellbeing.
But what about the silver lining? Can wellbeing leads find a way to overcome these obstacles and make a lasting impact? Insider tips from the World Health Organization (WHO) reveal that occupational health services must take a multidisciplinary approach to promote employee health while improving working environments and cultures.
By doing so, wellbeing leads can unlock the secrets to success, driving organisational wellbeing forward. The persona of wellbeing leads is a complex one, requiring mastery over communication, creativity, and the ability to influence. With the right skills and support… these unsung heroes can craft a support-driven, healthy, and productive work environment, transforming the very fabric of organisations.
Further investigation by top business leaders, including Gartner and McKinsey, underscores the imperative for organisations to place a high value on wellbeing and strive for alignment with best practices. Whereby, wellbeing leads can soar to greater heights, riding the winds of success. In the end, it appears that wellbeing leads must master a delicate balance of human understanding, “organisational savvy,” “and innovation to succeed in their roles.” Will they find the right trajectory to achieve success? Only time will tell.
