CHANGES in the workplace accelerated by the cost of living crisis, the pandemic and the war in Ukraine, along with poor management of people have created unhealthy working environments that are costing the world economy nine per cent of its GDP, a former workplace health advisor to the government has told a conference in Northampton.
Professor Dame Carol Black called for greater investment in occupational health. There is, she told the Global Healthy Workplace Summit held at the University of Northampton, an increasing blur between home and office. Workers are seeking more autonomy, emotional intelligence is becoming as important as technical mastery and health and wellbeing of workers is essential for success.
“I do think there’s a different emphasis on what leaders should do, what managers should do, but I would agree with this quote: ‘people not assets make organisations thrive,’ and that really is the global message going forward,” she said.
The three-day conference, which drew more than 100 delegates from 22 countries, brought together businesses and organisations to discuss steps to improve the health, wellbeing, and safety of their employees.
University of Northampton vice chancellor Professor Anne-Marie Kilday pictured right said: “In a world that is constantly evolving, where the dynamics of the workplace are undergoing rapid change, the significance of fostering environments that promote the wellbeing of employees, and celebrating them, cannot be overstated.”
Barry Crisp, marketing director for the Global Centre for Healthy Workplaces and lecturer in marketing and entrepreneurship at UoN added: “We were inspired by the stories of the organisations that are leading the way in workplace wellbeing. These organisations are making a real difference to the lives of their employees and they are setting a new standard for what it means to be a healthy workplace.
“The ideas and insights that were shared will help organisations all over the world to create healthier, safer, and more productive workplaces.”