Is Your Workplace Healthy?

Welcome to the First "Ember" Edition of our Newsletter!

Dear Community members, how far? How body? Welcome to the September edition of our newsletter.?I am excited that we have come to the end of another month, not any other month but an ember month; you know what this means, right??The holidays are almost here!!

Excited as I am, this?month is Informative September, a lot happened this month and?generally Nigeria is not happy. I did quite a lot of digging and want to share some sensitive and important information with you, but first some spicy startup updates!

Ecosystem Update

In a beautiful turn of events for me (and I hope you too), Risevest has now acquired Chaka! (If you do not know either of these brands you need to book your session with Money Africa ASAP and speak to your HR so you can benefit from the Colad Gray discount)

Risevest and Chaka are both leaders when it comes to investment options, with Risevest previously focusing on real estate in the U.S (and some other features) and Chaka in local and foreign?stock. This acquisition will now provide users with expanded portfolio options. The gist is juicy so I will allow you to read it up from a third party’s perspective and from the Horse's mouth.

HR Insights?

Did you know that companies lose between 90% to 200% of the original employee’s salary every time they replace an employee? Culture is one of the key things that support retention followed by a healthy workplace.?Let’s talk about the buzz ongoing today and what it looks like in the workplace.?It's easy to think the whole trauma and mental health saga?is distant, but in reality, it's so close and you can prevent a situation by just being trauma-informed.

Trauma-Informed Leadership in the Workplace

Amid the fast-paced demands of the workplace, it's easy to forget that people have lives outside of work, and that they may be grappling with personal challenges. Trauma is a broad term that encompasses a wide range of experiences and in this part of the world, almost ignored or overlooked until we get to an irreversible point where someone falls into depression or even dies!

It's important for everyone to understand how traumatic experiences can manifest in peoples' behaviours, and how they can become trauma-informed leaders who can set an example for others to follow.

What is a trauma-informed leader?

According to Alessandria Polizzi, the CEO and founder of Verdant Consulting, a trauma-informed leader is someone who has gained knowledge about how trauma impacts people in the workplace and how this impact manifests in their actions. It doesn't mean that you need to identify or resolve the specific traumas that your people have experienced. Instead, the focus is on understanding how various behaviors can surface in individuals from diverse backgrounds.

Why is trauma-informed leadership important?

It helps to create a more supportive and inclusive workplace for all employees. When leaders understand the impact of trauma, they are better equipped to respond to employee needs in a compassionate and understanding way. This can lead to improved employee morale, productivity, and retention.

Here are a few things you can do to become more trauma-informed:

1. Maintain an open mind. Acknowledge the potential effects of trauma on your employees, and don't rush to judgment if you see a change in their behaviour.

2. Be curious and empathetic. Instead of making snap judgments, ask yourself questions like, "How is this individual doing?" and "How can I offer assistance?" Remember that these questions are not intended to compel employees to share their trauma. Rather, your priority should be to collaboratively devise solutions with the team member, approaching the situation with empathy, kindness, and a composed demeanour.

3. Reflect on your own leadership style. Do you truly understand the motivations behind the behaviours you observe? It's important to remember that employees are human beings who experience stress, burnout, and trauma. Empathy plays a vital role in becoming a trauma-informed leader.

Important Updates:

You can still focus on upskilling your employees for the last quarter of the year in preparation for 2024 and already start seeing the difference! I added here a simple brochure of some short courses you may be interested in, but ultimately do you know you can get a free competency assessment from Nexford??Talk to your HR today let’s get you started.

I hope this edition was insightful and can inspire some change in our actions moving forward.

Meanwhile Big Announcement!!!! Oleefee is now available on ANDROID!

If you have not downloaded the Oleefee app, this is a friendly reminder that you are missing out on the hottest thing as far as employee benefits and payroll solutions are concerned.? Unique features like your salary advance, automated deductions are now available on mobile.?You can download the android app here or get the iOS app here

Happy Independence Day in Advance,

Sending Hugs,

Vicky.