ROW: Workplace Wellbeing Podcast

The Revolutionaries of Wellbeing (ROW) podcast explores how we can build better, stronger workplaces. 

This episode: Case Study - Leading wellbeing through turbulence at Air New Zealand

In this episode, we’re joined by Liam Scopes, Air New Zealand’s Strategic Wellbeing Manager.

Few industries were as impacted by the Covid-19 pandemic as air travel. International borders closed and the ability to move people and freight was significantly affected by the crisis.

Air New Zealand has been through a period of significant changes to its operations, headcount, and structure over the past few years. First, there was a rapid downsizing as the business shrank in response to the pandemic. And then, an equally rapid growth phase as normal operations resumed.

  Liam shares his experience on the practicalities of managing the many wellbeing needs of a diverse, global organisation of around 10,000 employees through one of the most challenging periods imaginable.

So fasten your seatbelts and stow your bags as we talk about leading wellbeing through turbulent times.

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The Revolutionaries of Wellbeing (ROW) podcast explores how we can build better, stronger workplaces. 

This episode: Long Covid, disabilities and chronic illnesses

In this episode, we take a deep-dive on long Covid, hidden disabilities and chronic illnesses, and how workplaces can rethink work and be more supportive.

Invisible or hidden disabilities are disabilities that are not immediately apparent. They are typically chronic illnesses that impact day-to-day living. As many as one in 10 of us could have one.

They range from learning differences, deafness, autism, traumatic brain injury, bipolar disorder, diabetes, ADHD, fibromyalgia, arthritis, sleep disorders, and many more.

With Long Covid increasing, wellbeing managers are going to need to understand and plan for this emerging issue.

We're joined by UK-based disability advocate and author Ted Smith. Ted is the author of Hidden Disabilities and Conditions; Creating an Inclusive Workplace. Together, we discuss chronic illness management and how that impacts wellbeing in the workplace.

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The Revolutionaries of Wellbeing (ROW) podcast explores how we can build better, stronger workplaces. 

This episode: Yes, you can talk about mental health at work

In this episode, we’re delighted to be joined by Melissa Doman, US-based Organisational Psychologist, Former Clinical Mental Health Therapist, & Author of Yes, You Can Talk About Mental Health at Work (Here’s Why And How To Do It Really Well). Melissa has presented and consulted for organizations and Fortune 500 companies across industries and around the world, including clients such as Google, Dow Jones, Microsoft, and more. We look at why you should have mental health conversations, and critically, how to do so, as well as dive into some of the key objections you might face in encouraging line managers from having mental health conversations – everything from "I’m not a therapist" to "I don’t want to say the wrong thing".

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The Revolutionaries of Wellbeing (ROW) podcast explores how we can build better, stronger workplaces. 

This episode: Defining wellbeing: what is it, how do we measure it, and where are we going as a profession?

In this episode, we are delighted to be joined by Chris Jones, Chief Safety and Wellbeing Officer at Ara Poutama, New Zealand’s Department of Corrections.

Prior to his role in Corrections, Chris held roles at WorkSafe New Zealand (where he led the Strategy, Guidance and Standards, and Occupational Health teams), Network Rail (as Head of Occupational Health and Wellbeing Strategy) and Nuffield Health (as Head of Physiology).

Through our discussion, we try to define what wellbeing actually is (and what it isn’t), how we can create the right systems and conditions that allow wellbeing to emerge, and how we can best attempt to quantify those factors in an effort to measure success.

We also discuss the emergence of wellbeing as a profession, and opportunities to grow and shape it in the coming years.

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The Revolutionaries of Wellbeing (ROW) podcast explores how we can build better, stronger workplaces. 

This episode: Providing first-level workplace support for psychological trauma and PTSD

We’re delighted to be joined by Adele Saunders, Manager of Psychological Health and Wellbeing at St John. In this episode, we talk through the massive influence that managers and peers have in providing first-level mental health and psychosocial support, and insights from a workplace where things like psychological trauma and PTSD are real risks that need to be actively managed.

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The Revolutionaries of Wellbeing (ROW) podcast explores how we can build better, stronger workplaces. 

This episode: Inclusive wellbeing from a Māori worldview

Over the next little while, we’ll be exploring diversity and inclusion as part of our podcast series. This episode explores inclusive wellbeing from a Māori worldview.

When it comes to workplace wellbeing, inclusivity is important. An inclusive, diverse workplace culture fosters a sense of belonging, safety, and purpose for employees, which in turn helps to increase wellbeing and productivity. It improves social connectedness and belonging; and reduces discrimination, prejudice, and harassment. It supports people to bring their whole selves to work.

Joining us is Stacey Morrison (Te Arawa, Ngai Tahu), one of NZ’s most recognisable broadcasters across radio and TV. She and her husband Scotty Morrison co-wrote ‘Māori at Home’ to help other families use te reo in everyday settings, and Stacey’s first children’s book, ‘My First Words in Māori’, became a number-one bestseller.

We’ll be exploring some of the cornerstones of wellbeing from this perspective, along with barriers and myths in the workplace and the actions workplaces can take to ensure wellbeing programs are truly inclusive.

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The Revolutionaries of Wellbeing (ROW) podcast explores how we can build better, stronger workplaces. 

This episode: Inclusive wellbeing - from a sexual and gender identities perspective

Over the next little while, we’ll be exploring diversity and inclusion as part of our podcast series. This episode explores inclusive wellbeing from a sexual and gender identity perspective.

When it comes to workplace wellbeing, inclusivity is important. An inclusive, diverse workplace culture fosters a sense of belonging, safety, and purpose for employees, which in turn helps to increase wellbeing and productivity. It improves social connectedness and belonging; and reduces discrimination, prejudice and harassment. It supports people to bring their whole self to work.

Joining us is José Taiapa from Rainbow Tick. Rainbow Tick is about accepting and valuing people in the workplace, and embracing the diversity of sexual and gender identities. A supportive work environment that is accepting of peoples’ differences benefits everybody in your organisation.

We’ll be exploring some of the cornerstones of wellbeing from this perspective, along with barriers and myths in the workplace and the actions workplaces can take to ensure wellbeing programs are truly inclusive.

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The Revolutionaries of Wellbeing (ROW) podcast explores how we can build better, stronger workplaces. 

This episode: Managing psychosocial risk at work

Addressing psychosocial risk factors is an important part of creating a robust wellbeing strategy.  It can be the difference between a wellbeing program that takes a bandaid approach and a wellbeing strategy that gets to the heart of workplace wellbeing issues.

So has the pandemic changed psychosocial risk factors, and what can organisations to do identify and mitigate these risks?

Joining us to explore this important topic is Professor Bevan Catley from Massey University. Drawing on the extensive New Zealand Barometer research and other new research works, Bevan takes us on a journey to better understand the topic and the top issues.

He also provides tips for wellbeing managers to better support employees now and in the future.

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The Revolutionaries of Wellbeing (ROW) podcast explores how we can build better, stronger workplaces. 

This episode: How to build mental health literacy with Jimi Hunt

In this episode, we're joined by mental health advocate Jimi Hunt to explore the concept of 'mental health literacy' and why language matters.

While mental health awareness has improved over the years - there is still a gap between knowing about mental health and taking actions towards better mental health.

We discuss how to obtain and maintain positive mental wellness, how to understand mental health problems and seek support, and how to decrease stigma in the workplace.

Our guest: Jimi Hunt

Jimi is the co-founder of the charity Live More Awesome and is most well known for his work in reducing the stigma around mental health in a distinctly colourful way. He is a Guinness World Record holder, two times TEDx speaker, a regular panellist on morning radio/TV shows and has been the subject of a documentary and two feature episodes of a major US Network show highlighting his unique and highly successful exploits into raising awareness of mental health.

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The Revolutionaries of Wellbeing (ROW) podcast explores how we can build better, stronger workplaces. 

This episode: Case study - wellbeing at Mitre 10

In this interview, we take a look at a workplace wellbeing case study.  Our guest is Nicky Primrose, Health, Safety & Wellbeing Business Partner at Mitre 10.

Mitre 10 has been a part of New Zealand's home improvement culture since 1974. It is New Zealand-owned and operated, and is New Zealand's largest home improvement and garden retailer.

As a co-operative spread from Kaitaia to Invercargill, Mitre 10 is committed to the wellbeing of its team of over 5,000 people.

Of course, recent events with COVID-19 have meant the operations support team has needed to come up with new and innovative ways to support their people, manage risk and sustain the business.

Nicky shares the Mitre 10 wellbeing journey, including insights, lessons learned, and what's ahead for the community-minded business.

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