We are delighted that Dr Patrick Aouad will be speaking in both Sydney and Melbourne this November as part of our Wellbeing at Work Summit Australia. We caught up with him to find out how he’s feeling in the run up to the summit.
Hi Patrick, we are thrilled you will be speaking at our Wellbeing at Work Summit Australia in November. Our first and most important question is, how are you doing today?
I’m well thank you. My life and the various commitments I have always have me under a fair amount of pressure and stress, but at this moment I am feeling focussed and positive.
As a leader based in the region, what are the main challenges you are facing when it comes to employee wellbeing?
As a doctor, I see employee wellbeing as the same as “people wellbeing”, it’s all the same. I am passionate about people living in and working in environments that promote good physical and mental health.
At the end of the day, good mental, spiritual and physical wellbeing prevents disease, improves communities, enhances engagement and ultimately lifts company performance.
The main challenges are getting leaders to strategically invest the time and capital efficiently into evidence-based initiatives, even though the economic benefits are obvious.
At the end of the day, businesses focussing on employee wellbeing will ultimately become a non-negotiable commitment and a normal expectation. It will just take a bit more time, a bit more education and unfortunately a few more “shocks” to the system.
What strategies have you seen developing over the past 6 months, both internally and externally, that are moving the dial on wellbeing in the workplace?
The most promising thing I have seen is companies recognising that investing in employee wellbeing is actually the most important part of the employee value proposition.
When framing wellbeing in that light it becomes the centre of rewards and benefits and becomes the core of talent attraction, retention and risk reduction. This means the dollars will flow in the right direction.
Why is employee wellbeing so important to you personally?
I think its because from an objective standpoint, we spend most of our waking life at work and what happens there heavily dictates our mental and physical state for the greater part of our life.
I also love optimisation, as in, I love making the most of every moment, seeing people reach their potential and maximise every opportunity in their life. That can only happen when their wellbeing is supported.
As a neurologist, I have thousands of first hand experiences with people whose wellbeing has suffered either at the hands of their work, their personal lives or both – so whatever can be done to improve that, is a good thing, not just for them, but for their family, friends, work colleagues and the economy.
What are you most looking forward to about the Summit in November?
Catching up with amazing people and sharing our insights – enjoying each other’s company and spreading the word about how to get employee wellbeing right.
Tell us, what is your vision for the future workplace, in terms of engagement, health and wellbeing?
My vision is that wellbeing is built into the fabric and workflow of every element of work seamlessly. This will require leadership, as there are two key elements to workplace wellbeing: organisational wellbeing and personalised wellbeing.
Organisational focuses on the environment itself, management styles, systems, processes, community, people and culture.
Personalised wellbeing focuses on specific employee healthcare needs that address their unique circumstances, genetics, demographic, stage and phase of life.
What areas do you think employers should be focused on over the next 12 months?
Having a hard look at their employee wellbeing strategies and their providers. Questioning whether their providers are actually making a difference with measurable impact or whether they are simply tokenistic or a compliance check box.
How has your organisation been leading the way?
CU Health has developed Australia’s first virtual health and wellbeing practice for businesses. We are leading the way in defining how to deliver personalised health and wellbeing services to both small and large businesses in ways that integrate with workflow, uplift company performance and reduce risk.
Please click here to find out more about CU Health.
Patrick will be speaking in Sydney and Melbourne at the Wellbeing at Work Summit Australia.. Further details on the Summit can be found here.
