Event: Mind Body Brain: 5th Positive Psychology and Wellness conference, Adelaide 2016 Presentation topic: Why Workplace Wellness Interventions Need to be Systems Based and Sector Wide. A Case Study from the Human Services Sector: Settlement Services Presenter: Sharon Longridge Link to program: http://media.wix.com/ugd/f8da9f_743925eb059846e1b404b007c7b20d09.pdf

1. Why workplace wellness
interventions need to be systems
based and sector wide. A case study
from the human services sector:
Settlement Services International.
In association with:
Dr Kate Levett, University of Notre Dame
Dr Jon Adams, University of Technology Sydney
Presenter: Sharon Longridge, Worklife Wellness

2. XX!
1. I am satisfied
with the amount of
involvement I have
in decisions that
affect my work.
Agree strongly
Agree
Not sure
Disagree
Disagree strongly

3. XX!
1. I am satisfied
with the amount of
involvement I have
in decisions that
affect my work.
2. I feel I am
rewarded (praise &
recognition) for the
level of effort I put
out for my job.
Agree strongly
Agree
Not sure
Disagree
Disagree strongly

4. XX!
1. I am satisfied
with the amount of
involvement I have
in decisions that
affect my work.
2. I feel I am
rewarded (praise &
recognition) for the
level of effort I put
out for my job.
3. In the last 6
months, too much
time pressure at
work has caused
me worry or stress.
Agree strongly
Agree
Not sure
Disagree
Disagree strongly

5. XX!
1. I am satisfied
with the amount of
involvement I have
in decisions that
affect my work.
2. I feel I am
rewarded (praise &
recognition) for the
level of effort I put
out for my job.
3. In the last 6
months, too much
time pressure at
work has caused
me worry or stress.
Agree strongly
Agree
Not sure
Disagree
Disagree strongly
4. In the last 6 months
I have experienced
worry, “nerves” or
stress from mental
fatigue at work.

6. 2. I feel I am
rewarded (praise &
recognition) for the
level of effort I put
out for my job.
3. In the last 6
months, too much
time pressure at
work has caused me
worry or stress.
4. In the last 6 months
I have experienced
worry, “nerves” or
stress from mental
fatigue at work.
The Stress and
Satisfaction Offset Score
M Shain
CONTROL REWARD DEMAND EFFORT
1. I am satisfied
with the amount of
involvement I have
in decisions that
affect my work.

7. Challenges of the contemporary workplace
Impacts of a mindfulness-based wellness program at SSI
Explore the applicability across the human services sector

8. “The world is becoming more turbulent faster
than most organisations are becoming resilient.”
Gary Hamel, What Matters Now, 2012

9. Workers are distracted 47% of the time. (Harvard)
stressed + distracted + exhausted
resilient + productive + engaged
The workplace
puzzle

10. Absenteeism costs $7 billion annually
Presenteeism costs $25.7 billion annually
(Medibank Private, 2008, Medibank Private, 2005; Pricewaterhouse Coopers, 2010)
Sick and stressed staff are costly…

11. • Costs Australian businesses more than $10 billion per year
• Mental stress claims are the most expensive workers’ comp claim
• Claims result in workers often being absent for extended periods
Mental
stress
at work
Source: Work Safe Australia, 2013!

12. Healthy work environments are an essential ingredient in
improving the health and wellbeing of Australians.
(Noblet, Graffam, & McWilliams, 2008; Noblet & LaMontagne, 2006; Pricewaterhouse Coopers, 2010)

13. Optimise the workforce through wellness and mindfulness
Innovative
workforce
self aware + resilient + adaptable +
focused + connected

14. Three approaches:
1. Target individuals!
2. Organisational interventions!
3. Integrating both individual and organisation!
Models
workplace
wellness
Source: Noblet & La Montagne, 2006!

15. Settlement Services International is a community-
based not-for-profit organisation working with
vulnerable communities and providing services in
the areas of refugee and migrant settlement,
housing, multicultural foster care, disability support
and employment services in NSW.

16. Your staff are distracted
47% of the time.
World Press Photography exhibition 2016, photo by Abd Doumany, Feb 2015

18. - Noblet & La Montagne, 2006!
“The comprehensive approach to health
promotion provides a more effective and
sustainable framework for addressing the
sources and symptoms of job stress.”

19. Sick and stress staff are costly…
SSI’s Be Well takes a multi-dimensional approach to mindfulness

20. Be Well - creating a wellness culture
• CEO drives program
• Ongoing wellness surveys
• Measuring change, sharing results
• Integrated into the Performance Management System
• Staff run wellness committee

22. Be Well’s
impact
1. Reduced sick leave
2. Improved team resilience
3. Increased satisfaction compared to stress
Strongly Agree
Agree
Disagree
Strongly Disagree

23. Stress
satisfaction
offset score
2012: 0.82
2014: 1.23
Business Health Culture Index
Organisational culture is aligned with business objectives

24. “I gained a deeper
sense of gratitude
towards SSI and their
staff for making life at
work so pleasant and
balanced.”
“My sleep pattern (has
changed) from five hours
to seven each night.”
“The Be Well approach/
ethos of SSI enabled me
to make decisions which
put my professional and
personal life in balance.”
“I’m being more
aware of myself and
my mind in general.”
“I’m just generally being aware of my needs more than ever before in my career, making
them a priority and shifting long held poor behaviour...”
“You can teach an old dog new tricks!”

25. Broadening the intervention across
the human services sector

26. STRENGTHS-BASED EMPOWERMENT!
Employees coached to identify their own strengths and needs!