Elevating Workplace Wellbeing: Insights, Strategies, and Key Takeaways from the CIPD Wellbeing Conference 2024

In today’s fast-paced, work-centric world, the importance of self-care and sustainable habits is becoming increasingly clear. As businesses and individuals strive for success, it’s essential to recognise that true wellbeing is not a luxury—it’s a necessity.

At the 2024 CIPD Wellbeing Conference, experts gathered to explore how companies can elevate their wellbeing strategies to foster supportive, thriving work environments. The day was packed with insights and actionable takeaways, which we’ve distilled into a practical guide for businesses and individuals alike, sharing our own views to package up expert tips, insights and recommendations.

Vitality in the Workplace

The conference opened with a powerful session from Dr. Mark Rowe, who spoke on vitality and workplace wellbeing. He highlighted how daily habits and lifestyle choices hold the key to healthier, happier lives. This set the tone for the day, reminding everyone that our actions directly impact our wellbeing.

The North Star: Who You Are Matters

Dr. Rowe echoed Martin Seligman’s research on positive psychology and the PERMA model, which underscores the importance of:

• Positive emotions – These may whisper, while negative emotions roar, so it's crucial to amplify positive feelings.
• Engagement – Finding flow in our work by using our strengths.
• Relationships – Cultivating meaningful connections with colleagues.
• Meaning – Aligning work with our deeper purpose.
• Accomplishment – Defining success on our own terms.

These pillars don’t just support individual happiness—they create ripple effects throughout organisations.

?? Tip: Take a moment to reflect on each of these pillars. How can you focus on them more, both in your personal and professional life?

The Science of Positive Emotions: Creating Happiness at Work

Positive emotions may be subtle, but their impact is profound. While stress and anxiety are inevitable, workplaces that promote happiness-boosting habits—like gratitude practices and mindfulness—can create environments where employees are better equipped to manage the highs and lows.

?? Insight: Small, intentional practices like taking time for gratitude or a mindful moment can shift the overall emotional climate of a workplace.

Engagement and Flow: Unlocking Peak Performance

One of the key takeaways was the importance of creating opportunities for employees to experience "flow"—those moments of deep engagement where time seems to disappear. When employees are encouraged to use their strengths in challenging but manageable tasks, they are more likely to reach their full potential. Flow states boost productivity and satisfaction, making it a win-win for both employees and organisations.

?? Tip: Look at your daily habits. How can you create more opportunities for flow in your day? Share this question with your team to spark conversation and ideas.

Relationships: Fostering Connection in Hybrid Workplaces

As hybrid work models become the norm, maintaining meaningful connections is more important—and more challenging—than ever. Creating a culture of psychological safety, where employees feel comfortable being vulnerable and sharing their challenges, is critical.

Trust and Psychological Safety: The Foundation of Wellbeing

Harvard Business School professor Amy Edmondson’s research on psychological safety emphasises its importance in fostering high-performance teams. Employees need to feel safe to share their thoughts and vulnerabilities without fear of judgment.

?? Action Step: Make psychological safety a cornerstone of your company’s wellbeing strategy. Provide training and support for managers to create open, supportive team environments.

?? Idea for Companies: Conduct psychological safety assessments and provide training for managers on fostering a safe, supportive work environment. This is something that we can support with too.

Meaning and Purpose: Finding Your “Why”

Employees who find meaning in their work are not only more resilient but healthier. Studies show that a clear sense of purpose can lower the risk of heart disease and even increase lifespan. Companies that help employees connect their roles to a greater purpose will see the benefits in both engagement and overall wellbeing.

?? Challenge: Reflect on your own purpose. What drives you, and how does your work align with your values?

Physical Health: The Importance of Holistic Wellbeing

While much of the conversation around wellbeing focuses on mental and emotional health, physical wellbeing is just as crucial. Regular movement, even in small amounts, can lower cortisol levels and promote overall health. Encouraging employees to move throughout the day reduces the risk of heart disease and other health issues.

?? Action Step: Partner with health specialists and holistic solutions, like CRAOI, to educate employees about the benefits of movement, along with other wellbeing pillars, and create opportunities for them to integrate more holistic activity into their day.

Wellbeing as a Strategic Necessity: Case Studies from Tayto and Grant Thornton

A recurring theme of the conference was that wellbeing is no longer a “nice-to-have”—it’s a strategic necessity. Companies like Grant Thornton and Tayto are leading the way with wellbeing initiatives that focus on long-term, sustainable change rather than one-off events.

For instance, Grant Thornton’s "B Well Programme" integrates monthly initiatives around emotional, physical, and financial wellbeing, while Tayto involves employees early on to shape wellbeing policies. These programs aren’t just about checking boxes—they are embedded into the core of business strategy.

?? Takeaway: Wellbeing programs should aim for long-term, educational approaches that drive sustainable, meaningful change, not just reactive measures or one-off events.

Empowering Managers: Supporting Both Teams and Themselves

Managers play a pivotal role in driving wellbeing initiatives, but their own wellbeing often goes overlooked. As managers are expected to support their teams, it’s crucial to also provide them with the tools to manage their own stress and self-care.

?? Recommendation: Create management training programs that focus on balancing team support with self-care. Equip managers with tools for self-regulation and stress management. Make sure they also have the support that they need to thrive at work and beyond.

The Role of Tech and AI: A New Frontier for Wellbeing

One of the more futuristic discussions of the day centred around how technology and AI can revolutionise wellbeing strategies. From using AI to analyse employee wellbeing data to implementing digital tools that encourage healthy habits, tech offers a wealth of opportunities. There was an interesting discussion around the use of AI when it comes to data, security and compliance. Along with a live demonstration of an AI created podcast, which kept debates on whether or not these are ethical or biased long into the lunch break. Everyone agreed that if you are going to partner with technologically advanced or AI driven solutions, it's important to have in-depth conversations about how your company and employee data is being used, where it is being shared and how they host and store data on their end to ensure it is compliant and you have full transparency and control.

?? Opportunity: CRAOI leverages technology for good and ensures strict data protection and compliancy, to provide HR teams with strategic recommendations based off data and insights, freeing up time and creating actionable insights that improve employee wellbeing based on their real-time needs.

Wellbeing for Peak Performance: Insights from Anna Geary

The day wrapped up with keynote speaker Anna Geary, who delivered a powerful message on wellbeing for peak performance: small, simple actions can significantly impact our mood, energy, and overall performance.

Movement is Magic: Simple Actions Lead to Big Wins

“Movement makes people feel good!” Anna emphasised that often, it’s not about doing complex routines or making drastic changes. Simple actions, like taking a walk, stretching, or just moving regularly throughout the day, are highly effective in boosting mood and energy. These small acts of movement elevate your energy levels, leaving you feeling more positive and engaged.

High, Consistent Energy is the Key to Strong Performance

Energy isn’t just an individual resource; it’s the currency of an organization. What are you doing to support and improve energy across your workplace? Creating a culture that fosters consistent energy and strategies to maintain and elevate energy across teams can drive higher performance levels. Leaders and managers need to take ownership of fostering environments where people feel energised rather than drained. This can be done through activities that elevate moods like laughing, going for walks, cleaning, meditating, or taking 5-minute mindful breaks.

Focus on Strengths to Build Confidence

“What are we doing well? Let’s focus on that first rather than weaknesses.” This approach builds confidence. By identifying and amplifying what employees are already doing well, they are empowered to take on new challenges. Elevate strengths to help build confidence in other areas of improvement. Managers are encouraged to start meetings by highlighting wins and good practices, creating a positive tone that can ripple out across teams.

?? Opportunity: Managers can work with their teams to help identify their strengths and recognise their good work to help elevate moods and energy.

?? Takeaway: Actions speak louder than words. Leaders and managers should focus on modeling the behaviours they want to see in their teams. Leading by example creates a ripple effect, fostering a culture where others are motivated to follow suit. Ask yourself: how am I contributing to the energy and wellbeing of my team today? By practicing what you preach, the results will speak for themselves.

In closing, Anna Geary shared a timeless quote by Maya Angelou:“People will forget what you said, people will forget what you did, but people will never forget how you made them feel.”This speaks directly to the heart of leadership and culture. How we make others feel—seen, valued, heard—has lasting effects on their energy and engagement. It’s a reminder to lead with empathy, kindness, and authenticity.

Key Takeaways for Workplace Wellbeing:

• Trust and psychological safety are foundational for a supportive work environment.
• Co-designing wellbeing strategies with employees fosters engagement and long-term success.
• Flow states and positive emotions are powerful drivers of employee satisfaction and performance.
• We need to focus on Holistic Wellbeing; Physical health should be prioritised alongside mental and emotional health
• Tech and AI can play a key role in improving workplace wellbeing strategies
• Leadership buy-in is critical for successful wellbeing initiatives—managers must role model positive wellbeing behaviours.

As the workplace continues to evolve, companies that treat wellbeing as a strategic priority will not only support their employees but will also drive better business outcomes. Wellbeing should be at the heart of any business looking to succeed in the modern world. Let’s prioritise our people and make wellbeing the foundation of sustainable success.