We are delighted that Simone will be speaking in Manchester as part of our UK Summit. We caught up with her to find out how she’s feeling in the runup to the event.
Hi Simone, we are thrilled that you will be speaking at the Wellbeing at Work UK Summit in September. Our first and most important question is, how are you doing today?
I’m really great! I’ve got my morning routine down to a T now. Gym, matcha, breakfast, and a little journaling (I know I know – I’m one of those, but it’s really working for me).
As a leader based in the region, what are the main challenges you are facing when it comes to employee wellbeing and mental health?
External factors (to the workplace) – uncertainty, politics, law changes etc. There’s not a split of people at home and work. How we feel filters through from one to the other, they can’t be ignored.
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?
I’m seeing a bigger focus on self-evaluation within tools over a one size fits all approach. For example, tools and resources grouped into buckets of Thriving, Improving or Struggling, so no matter the topic there is relevance to the individual.
Why is employee wellbeing so important to you personally?
Super simple – We have nothing without it.
I had to grow up quickly and deal with some very adult things that I wouldn’t wish on any one. I don’t want anyone else to feel like they don’t know where to go when things get tough.
What impact is AI having in your organisation and how are you managing that?
The use is increasing of course, like everywhere. We’ve had to work quickly to get useful guidance in place. We created a checklist of how to use gen AI in an ethical way including a case example. It serves as more of a list to get people to thinking about potential adverse impacts and remind us all that human judgment and oversight still remain crucial, especially in decisions impacting individuals or requiring nuanced understanding. We still have a way to go using it in place of repetitive tasks so that individuals can focus on their tasks that give them energy and excite them.
Other than AI, are there any challenges that you are seeing for the first time and how are you addressing them?
I wouldn’t say I’m seeing anything brand new. It’s a lot of the same challenges that we know about (burnout, financial wellbeing, hybrid work challenges), but either an increase in a specific way, or improved ways to tackle them. For example, there have been people remote working for a long time, but of course we had an influx from Covid and quite a few years on we’re really seeing the longer effects and needing to balance flexibility with social connection.
What areas do you think employers should be focused on over the next 12 months?
Sadly, my answer hasn’t changed since last year. While all of the support you can turn to if you’re struggling is great, employers really need to address the root causes. Yes it’s lovely to have a yoga session people can sign up to at lunch time and I’m all for a bit of Zen, but come on. A downward dog isn’t what an employer should be focused on when its people are overworked and stressed because they’re ridiculously under-resourced.
Do you feel that investment in employee wellbeing in the region is increasing or decreasing and is that a direct reflection on HR leaders’ increasing ability to demonstrate effective returns of their strategies to leadership?
I’ve definitely seen a streamlining, but I wouldn’t necessarily categorise that as a negative decrease. It’s good practice and all companies should be reviewing and evaluating their initiatives. Where they aren’t working, or having a good impact they should be changed. Sun-setting something after it has run it’s course and introducing something new, is normal practice, but headlines can be a bit sensational and one sided.
How has your organisation been leading the way?
While we’re definitely not leaders in this space, we do our best to continuously make improvements and make sure that our employees are supported. One of our five Culture Principles is Safe, which specifically includes protecting each other’s mental and emotional wellbeing.
We provide resources all year round, not just for individuals looking after their own wellbeing, but for managers to provide them with the tools to have better wellbeing conversations with the people they lead. We also have trained mental health first aiders and have sponsored Baton of Hope – a growing movement aspiring to a zero-suicide society.
Simone will be speaking in Manchester at the Wellbeing at Work Summit UK.
Our London Summit takes place on 23rd September. Visit our London webpage for further details and to book your tickets.
Our Manchester Summit takes place on 25th September. To find out more about our Manchester Summit and book your tickets please visit our Mancherster webpage.
