Wellbeing

This week I was asked to judge a wellbeing award for a magazine. Ive done this before and the format is quite simple to follow, in fact its my fifth time doing it. What struck me was that things have not really changed. For a start wellbeing means many different things, a great way to start with this is to define for an organisation what they think wellbeing is, then go on to design a program that addresses this. Set some real measurable goals, do the activity, measure the heck out it, analyse, review, refine. 

Measures can be direct like weight loss, engagement scores, reduced blood pressure, people exercising, or inferred. Reduced medical costs, reduced absence, reduced accident rate. The level of participation is a great measure, but that needs to be real, more than visiting a website. 

Wellbeing needs a culture shift, i was pleased to see some entries had seen a shift in culture, it is here that the real difference will be made. It needs leadership and commitment from the top of the organisation, and right through the management. Employees need to own it and live it. When it becomes fun its really getting there. 

I am given real hope that organisations do care enough about their employees to invest in their health. The reward to business is obvious and if you are not doing it already you are losing money.