New website supports workplace wellbeing
July 2018
Anyone with an interest in wellbeing will find the Wellbeing for Health website full of useful resources.
A challenging environment
‘We thrive in a workplace culture that allows genuine and open discussion on the things that matter. Workplace wellbeing is one of those things.’
Richard Wagstaff, President of the NZ Council of Trade Unions, advocates for health professionals to respond to the challenges of poor wellbeing.
‘Health is a challenging environment - hazards need to be managed carefully, so they don’t impact negatively on people’s lives. Many health services are 24/7 continuous operations. Organisation of work is critical, as is having safe levels of staffing, so we can offer the best possible service to health users and look after staff delivering those services,’ Richard says.
Wellbeing for Health
In May 2018, TAS launched the Wellbeing for Health website on behalf of the DHBs. Professionals working in Human Resources, union organisers and managers can use the website to develop wellbeing programmes and share information with their staff. Anyone with an interest in wellbeing will find the website full of useful resources.
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July 2018 |
Sponsored by the 20 DHB General Managers of Human Resources, Wellbeing for Health aims to keep workplace wellbeing top of mind. Fiona McCarthy, GM Human Resources Lead for Wellbeing for Health says ‘The website offers advice and resources on how to create great staff engagement and teamwork. There are resources on how to build values-based organisations, and contribute to organisation and team wellbeing.'
‘The research shows that by having good communication, engagement and teamwork in a health workplace, patients benefit too through better outcomes like shorter stays in hospital and lower re-admissions,’ Fiona says.
In its first month, 1000 people visited the Wellbeing for Health website. TAS provided support for the website project and worked with unions, the National Bipartite Action Group (BAG) and the Health Sector Relationship Forum to get the website up and running.
Richard Wagstaff shares his vision for the continued success of Wellbeing for Health. ‘We’d like health professionals to keep using the website for practical tools and policies, and to see what would work for them. It’s about all DHBs working together to improve wellbeing in the health sector.’