Episode 46: When Workplace Wellbeing Becomes Tokenistic

Episode 46: When Workplace Wellbeing Becomes TokenisticA wellbeing workshop, an R U OK? Day activity or a once-a-year team wellbeing initiative can be valuable. But what happens when staff return to their everyday work environment?In this solo episode, Jazmin explores the difference between offering workplace wellbeing initiatives and actually creating a workplace culture that supports wellbeing.Drawing on the social work concept of person in environment, Jazmin discusses why helping professionals and leaders can't be separated from the environments they work within.While emotionally demanding client work can absolutely impact our wellbeing, so can excessive workloads, workplace culture, leadership, psychological safety, access to supervision, expectations around breaks and boundaries, and whether people genuinely feel safe to be themselves at work.Jazmin also explores the value of ongoing reflective practice and quality supervision as part of a broader supportive workplace environment, including why leaders themselves need opportunities for supervision, reflection and support.In this episode:When workplace wellbeing initiatives can start to become tokenisticApplying a person-in-environment lens to ourselves as helping professionals and leadersWhy wellbeing isn't solely the responsibility of the individual workerHow our workplace environment can impact us beyond the demands of client workThe difference between what an organisation says about wellbeing and what staff actually experienceWhy ongoing reflective practice can be more meaningful than a once-a-year initiativeThe importance of quality, regular supervisionPsychological safety, neuro-affirming workplaces and feeling safe to be yourself at workWhy leaders need supervision, reflective practice and support tooLooking beyond R U OK? Day and asking: What does staff wellbeing look like on an ordinary Tuesday?A reflection for youThink about your own workplace environment.What within your workplace supports your wellbeing, and what within your environment makes your wellbeing harder to maintain?Workplace wellbeing shouldn't only be something we talk about on designated wellbeing days. It needs to be supported through the culture, leadership, systems and everyday experiences of the people doing the work.Work directly with Jazmin:Looking for professional support, reflective practice, training or group supervision?Explore Jazmin Pursell ConsultingGroup Supervision for Practitioners and LeadersBoundaries as Practitioners online trainingFree resources for helping professionals and leadersAccess Jazmin's free practical resources designed to support helping professionals and leaders in their everyday work.Socialise with Jazmin:InstagramWebsiteThank you so much for joining me on the Not Another PD podcast and I can't wait to see you here next week.