Last Thursday (22nd September 2022), HR Anchor hosted a seminar on ‘Wellbeing in the Workplace’, specifically focusing on how to build a winning strategy in the workplace. Numerous representatives from a variety of local businesses and clients attended the session, and it was great to put faces to names in person after a difficult few years in the HR sector.
The event began with some networking over a hot drink, which then progressed to the main event. Our first speaker, Ron Davison, the Managing Director of Gamlins Law and HR Anchor, set a vulnerable yet insightful tone with his words. Ron decided to share his personal story with the attendees, which, as a junior employee listening, felt inspiring to those listening, as we were taken on his personal journey to success both personally and in his career, whilst still overcoming the hurdles that he did.
Ron explained that as a leader, it would be unrealistic to believe that your staff members do not struggle with anxiety at work and/or in their everyday lives. He explained that the working environment is the key to success. Ron made a promise that as a managing director, he would be open, and honest, and not ignore the fact that people will face challenges, setting a brilliant example to all.
Ron was then followed by the next speaker, Elissa Thursfield. Elissa’s powerful presentation was backed by statistics and based on her 10 years + of experience in the Employment Law and HR Sector, having been at the forefront of the founding team of HR Anchor, only going from strength to strength. Elissa provided a detailed discussion to the attendees on what employers must do to ensure wellbeing is supported in the workplace. Elissa made it clear that everyone should feel that they matter at work, and there needs to be a champion for every single member of the team. Elissa also discussed the issue of ‘quiet quitters’, which is a phrase being integrated into current Employment and HR discussions. This phrase refers to employees who, whilst they once have gone above and beyond, presently perform minimal tasks on a daily basis. Elissa outlined that employers should go beyond providing treats and dressing down days and to look deeper. Elissa’s approach to building a winning strategy was both intriguing and effective, with many attendees noting down her advice to take back to the workplace.
Following both Elissa and Ron was Cath Harrison, Managing Director of JVP Group, who are known for being recruitment advertising experts. Cath’s presentation focused on how companies are viewed, and the importance of employers asking themselves this question. Cath discussed the importance of communication and what makes a workplace a good place to work. She explained that employers’ approaches must be authentic and unique, and there is no one-size-fits-all strategy. Cath engaged attendees by allowing them to consider what an applicant would uncover if they searched for their companies, highlighting that employers should manage how they communicate their employee value proposition.
Cath’s insightful expertise was then followed by the special guest speaker, Paul McGregor, the Founder of Everymind at Work. Paul shared his own mental health story with the attendees and explained that he aimed to tackle mental health stigma and deliver proactive support to employees through Everymind at Work for businesses. Paul explained that employers commonly will aim to tick quota, meaning that they have no strategies and try things for employees in the hope that it works. He explained that other employers have said that they do not need a strategy, as there are no mental health issues in their workplace. However, Paul informed attendees that every individual has mental health, and we must aim to promote, provide, and protect, considering how an employer can do this by being proactive and not reactive. Paul explained that employers should create a network of champions and change workplace cultures, with HR and senior leaders still playing a vital role as advocates. Every individual in a workplace will be on their own mental health journey as Paul explained, and employers should cater to each individual, suggesting allies, resource groups, vulnerability from senior leadership, encouragement of sharing stories and awareness days. Paul’s discussion provided a vast variety of tips for employers and really outlined what is currently happening in employment, with stigma remaining in the workplace. The experience and insight Paul provided I felt was very beneficial for the employers attending the session, to aid them with structuring their support for employees.
After Paul’s discussion, the other panellists joined him for a ‘Q&A’ session. Numerous business representatives asked insightful questions which everybody in the room could take something from, relating to how HR professionals could balance mental wellbeing with capability, how Gamlins and HR Anchor managed their staff wellbeing, and how the fear of stigma through gossip amongst staff members could be tackled.
All attendees and panellists then gathered for some drinks and canapes and were able to network.
Overall, the event was very successful and engaging, and it was brilliant to see representation from a variety of industries so keen to improve on the handling of mental wellbeing in the workplace and knowing that some of the panellists were my own employers, were already setting the standard.