Is Loneliness Australia’s next biggest health crisis?
As workplaces evolve and fake human connection grows, it was really fascinating to learn more from Dr Michelle H Lim on this important topic in a recent Well Workplaces Podcast episode - Loneliness in the Workplace.
In an era where workplaces are evolving and digital interactions are often mistaken for real human connection, the issue of loneliness is more relevant than ever. Dr. Michelle Lim, a renowned expert on loneliness and clinical psychologist, shed lightmistaken for real human connection, the issue of loneliness is more relevant than ever. Dr. Michelle Lim, a renowned expert on loneliness and clinical psychologist, shed light on this critical topic during her appearance on the Well Workplaces podcast.
Dr. Lim is the Chairperson and Scientific Chair of Ending Loneliness Together, and a global leader in loneliness research. She is also a Research Fellow at the Iverson Health Innovation Research Institute and the Centre for Mental Health at Swinburne University of Technology. Additionally, she directs the Social Health and Wellbeing (SHAW) Laboratory, which focuses on evidence-based research into loneliness.
Loneliness is increasingly recognised as a significant public health concern in Australia and globally. Research shows it can profoundly impact physical and mental health, contributing to conditions such as depression, anxiety, cardiovascular disease, and even premature mortality. This issue affects people of all ages, from young adults to seniors.
Factors such as social isolation, changing social structures, and the rise of digital communication contribute to feelings of loneliness. Addressing this growing problem requires a comprehensive approach that includes community engagement, social support networks, mental health services, and public awareness campaigns.
While loneliness has not yet been officially labelled Australia’s “next big health epidemic” it is a serious and growing concern. It calls for urgent attention and action from policymakers, healthcare providers, and society as a whole.
Loneliness Awareness Week is about shining a spotlight on the universal experience of loneliness, squashing misconceptions about who experiences loneliness and highlighting the role we all play – individuals, communities, workplaces, education, government – in reducing loneliness and creating more opportunities for meaningful social connections.
Everyone is encouraged to get involved this year! Sign up below to be the first to know about this year’s theme and receive resources to spread the word and participate.
I always love reading different perspectives on the hot topic of the Four Day Work Week.
This AFR article explores the insights of a CEO regarding the effectiveness of implementing a four-day workweek. It highlights how this approach can improve employee productivity, wellbeing, and work-life balance. The CEO shares experiences and data from their company's transition to a compressed workweek schedule, emphasising the positive impact on employee morale and business outcomes. Additionally, the article discusses common misconceptions about the four-day workweek and provides practical advice for organisations considering this alternative work arrangement.
The "gift of the fifth" refers to the extra day off that employees receive when transitioning to a four-day workweek schedule. This additional day provides employees with more leisure time, which can be spent on personal activities, rest, or spending time with family and friends. It is considered a valuable benefit that enhances work-life balance and contributes to overall employee wellbeing. The concept underscores the idea that reducing the traditional workweek to four days can be advantageous for both employees and employers, resulting in increased productivity, job satisfaction, and retention.
If the company is facing budget constraints or financial challenges, employees may feel a sense of responsibility to contribute to the organisation's success by maximising their productivity and efficiency during their regular work hours. In such cases, they may choose not to use the "gift of the fifth" for personal pursuits and instead dedicate the time to work-related tasks, projects, or initiatives that can help the company meet its financial goals. This approach demonstrates a commitment to supporting the company during challenging times and aligning individual efforts with organisational priorities. Additionally, employees may explore ways to innovate or streamline processes to improve performance and contribute to the company's financial stability, even within the confines of a four-day workweek schedule.
Nine-Day Fortnight
Similarly, Grant Thornton, an accounting firm, has introduced a nine-day fortnight for its employees, allowing them to work less while maintaining their full-time salary. However, employees must meet specific productivity and performance targets to qualify for this arrangement. Again, this approach aims to enhance work-life balance and employee wellbeing while ensuring continued high performance and client satisfaction. Read the article here.
In case you missed it, I recently recorded a great podcast with Simon Ursell from Tyler Grange | B Corp? on the topic of the Four Day Work Week - as featured here in the BBC News.
Would this be a catalyst for improved business productivity and better job design?
If you need a quick sanity check on what you are doing for employee wellbeing, I welcome a call here.
Stay Well,
Tom
To discuss how Pinnacle Health Group can help create a safer work environment, click the button below to speak to one of our OHS Directors for a quote:
June Masterclass: How to design your Financial Year Wellbeing Calendar
Chances are, if you’ve been in a health and safety, wellbeing or HR leadership role over the last 3 years - its been pretty difficult to do any forward planning when it comes to employee wellbeing.
Rapid changing environments and return to the physical workplace have all been necessary and reactive responses to the events of the last few years - and only now are many workplace leaders finding space to map out employee wellbeing with any sort of structure.
After the reactive approach, many leaders are finding it difficult to know where to start, when it comes to mapping out a wellbeing strategy that is suited to the long-term, and one that engages employees towards better overall health.
And many of our clients are going through the process of planning their next financial year budget for wellbeing - not knowing what to include, how to deliver it, and how to measure success.
With that in mind, there is a strong need for workplaces to develop, communicate and execute a powerful workplace wellbeing strategy and program for 2024-2025 financial year - so we will be running a masterclass on the 5 Step Guide to setting up your Financial Year Wellbeing Calendar.
领英推荐
In this session, we provide an overview of:
This 45 minute Masterclass, delivered by Trent Marsh, is interactive and suitable for people in HR, Health and Wellbeing professionals in large corporate organisations, government teams, those working in mid-tier businesses and even small business owners.
Wednesday 12th June 2024
12:30 pm – 1:15 pm AEST
Get your FREE and exclusive ticket
Workplace Climate Action with Lucy Piper - Corporate Climate Expert and Director, at WorkForClimate
Imagine that instead of just switching your own electricity to Greenpower, you could convince your workplace to switch their entire operations to 100% renewable energy? You just shifted the system, congratulations!
Meet Lucy Piper, the inspiring Director of WorkforClimate who joined me on the Well Workplaces podcast. In episode 124, workplace climate action Lucy shares her passionate approach to climate action. After a decade in the corporate sector, working within a climate progressive business, Lucy wants to help build the climate movement inside the corporate sector and get more businesses around the world to decarbonise, faster. Check out the episode and WorkforClimate who gives you clear, step-by-step playbooks that help you influence and accelerate your company's decarbonisation initiatives.
Resources
Westpac Reinstates Time Sheets for Salaried Staff to Ensure Fair Pay
Westpac has decided to reinstate time sheets for salaried employees earning up to $140,000 annually. This change aims to accurately track work hours and prevent underpayment issues. The decision comes after internal reviews revealed discrepancies in employee compensation. By documenting actual working hours, Westpac intends to ensure compliance with labour regulations and avoid potential legal troubles. This initiative highlights the bank’s commitment to transparency and fair employee treatment in its compensation practices.
Master your To-Do List with tips from highly efficient people
And my favourite quote of the article:
Make an impact, then sneak off
Need to limit your time at a work do or social event? “I wear a bright jacket to a reception, work the room, then remove the jacket so it’s less noticeable if I slope out early, which means I can get home for dinner,” says Laura Clarke, mother of three and chief
executive of the charity ClientEarth.
To summarise the article though, here are my key takeaways:
Catch up on our latest Well Workplaces Podcast episodes:
The Well Workplaces podcast is designed to create genuine wellbeing conversations in the workplace, sharing expert knowledge in a practical way.
Our vision is for a world where workplaces lead and create healthier communities.
We inspire workplaces to shape and optimise wellbeing behaviours for society as a whole.
Our mission is to deliver inspiring health experiences to five million employees globally.
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Men's and LGBTQIA+ Counsellor | Group Facilitator | Speaker | Expert in providing inclusive, empathetic, and respectful mental health services to the queer community | Advocate for safe spaces & connection.
5 个月Tom thank you for highlighting this and its importance in the health sector. Everyday I see queer men who are struggling to find connection and support and who are so lonely. In a world where we’re so connected by technology why is everyone so disconnected personally and physically? I’m running a men’s discussion group online next week on this very topic ??