The average employee will work approximately 80,000 hours, or almost a full decade, over the course of a lifetime. Therefore, creating a healthy workplace setting is an important step towards improving employee health, happiness and engagement.
That is according to the Technological University of the Shannon’s (TUS) Dr Stacey Cannon Cahill and Dermot Maleney who are championing the benefits of wellbeing initiatives in Irish workplaces ahead of this year’s National Workplace Wellbeing Day (Friday, April 26, 2024.)
Dr Cannon Cahill, Lecturer and Joint Programme Lead for the MA in Leadership in Workplace Health and Wellbeing at TUS, explains, “Meaningful workplace wellbeing is an ongoing process of collaboration between workers and managers that aims to protect and promote the health and well-being of all workers and the sustainability of the workplace. An organisation that truly cares about the health of its employees will embed employee health and wellbeing within its culture, systems, environment, and strategic plans.”
However, workplace wellbeing initiatives can also benefit employers.
Outlining the benefits Mr Maleney Joint Programme Lead for the MA in Leadership in Workplace Health and Wellbeing at TUS said, “The majority of companies and organisations who have implemented workplace wellbeing initiatives have seen an increase in employee productivity, in employee job satisfaction and loyalty and a reduction in absenteeism and presenteeism. Studies have also shown a reduction in Health and Safety costs and an improvement in the organisation’s reputation and social responsibility efforts.”
Workplace wellbeing initiatives address a range of occupational health issues, including stress and burnout, bullying and harassment, social disconnection, inequality, exclusion, sedentary work, poor diet, sleep loss, and musculoskeletal pain. They can also assist in the transition towards hybrid and remote working models.
Meanwhile on Wednesday next, May 1, the TUS Department of Sport & Early Childhood supported by N-TUTTOR will bring workplace wellbeing centre stage at the inaugural workplace wellbeing seminar in the Millennium Theatre, TUS Moylish Campus. This year’s free event will look at “Building a Wellbeing Culture: Embracing Workplace Happiness”.
The event has attracted international speakers as well as HR experts from the region, as keynote speaker Nic Marks, a workplace happiness expert, TED speaker, and CEO & Founder of Friday Pulse will provide the keynote address.
Nic is the originator of the Five Ways to Wellbeing, but more recently has turned his attention towards happiness.
The seminar will also hear from 2024 CIPD HR Award winners Clare County Council and Iarnród Éireann, along with CCMA 2023 award winners Uber.
A number of wellbeing exhibitors will also be present, including two recent graduates from the TUS MA in Leadership in Workplace Health and Wellbeing. Jennifer Reidy, owner of CFI-Training, will outline how the MA boosted her business and positively impacted her career while Gillian Bane will promote her workplace wellbeing consultancy, WellWork360.
This free event is open to everyone, but tickets are limited, – https://tus.ie/events/workplace-wellbeing-seminar/