Welcome to the July 2019 eNews Upcoming WayAhead Workplaces Member MeetingsThe next meeting for WayAhead Workplaces in Sydney will be in September. The next meeting for WayAhead Workplaces in Brisbane will be on Thursday 5 September from 10am-1pm. The meeting will be hosted by Financial Advice Matters at Perpetual, Level 15, Central Plaza One, 345 Queen Street. Further details for both meetings coming shortly. Check our website for updates. You must RSVP to Lynley if you want to attend these meetings. Did you miss our last meeting, or love it so much you wish you could share the presentation slides with your team? Simply log in to our website to view the presentations from all our previous meetings. These are visible only to WayAhead Workplaces members as part of your member benefits with us. WayAhead Workplaces Annual Members' Forum 2019Our Annual Members' Forum was held on June 18 and explored the theme "Workplaces as Communities. Workplaces as part of Communities. What is our Impact?" The workplace wellbeing sector is asking organisations to think of their employees as whole people. So, if work influences people's lives and people’s lives influence their work – how does this effect the wider community? Are there things that organisations can be doing that will have positive outcomes at work (improve engagement, productivity, purpose and meaning, innovation etc…), but also benefit the wider community? We wanted to explore this concept further. Thank you once again to our fabulous speakers, sponsors, exhibitors, host and members who made the event possible. Click here to read a summary and click here to view photographs from the day. New on the WayAhead Workplaces WebsiteWe are blown away by the number and diversity of conferences in the sector coming up this quarter. Check out what's on near you and what's worth travelling for in our 2019 Conferences Calendar. Celebrate and participate in various events around the country next month including Sleep Awareness Week and Tradies National Health Month. These events and more are featured in our 2019 Events Calendar. We are continually adding to the Resources section of our website. Some of the newest resources include: The Value of Promoting Employee Health and Wellbeing, a Robert Walters Whitepaper; The Australian Building and Construction Industry Blueprint for Better Mental Health and Suicide Prevention 2018-2020, a Blueprint developed by MATES in Construction with support from Beyond Blue; and 3 Steps to Incorporate Mental Health & Wellbeing Initiatives at Your Workplace, an article by Future of Work Insights. To access the member-only resources on our website, simply log in from the homepage using the username and password we emailed you when you signed up with us. If you can't find that, contact Lynley. Don't forget you can also view all previous eNewsletters on our website. WayAhead Workplaces Members SpotlightOne of the most popular pages on our website is our Members Spotlight, a page dedicated for everyone to learn about the wonderful members of WayAhead Workplaces. Our most recent spotlight shone on Rachel from Centre for Corporate Health. Keep up the great work, Rachel! Sector Spotlight - Awards, Events, Webinars, Workshops and ConferencesFree Workplace Mental Health Training - Mentally Healthy Workplaces StrategyDid you know that 1 in 6 Australian employees are experiencing mental ill-health right now? There are some simple steps everyone can take to make their workplace more mentally healthy. The NSW Government has introduced some FREE initiatives to help your business: Free mental health training for managers facilitated by Black Dog Institute, will provide you with the knowledge, confidence and strategies to support your team’s mental wellbeing in the workplace. Free mental health skills training facilitated by Black Dog Institute, is being offered to help everyone at work. By signing up to the program, you and your team can gain an insight into common mental health conditions, develop skills to have those difficult conversations, and get a better understanding about disclosure in the workplace. Free work health and safety (WHS) advice is conducted by Assure Programs, as an independent WHS consultant, to help your business identify how well mental health is managed in your workplace. Your business will receive tailored expert guidance and resources to assist in developing a Mental Health Development Plan. For further information about the programs (including eligibility criteria) and to sign up, visit mentalhealthatwork.nsw.gov.au and complete the online form.
Wellness Wise™ Practitioner Training Program - Wellness Wise Academy, Discount for WayAhead Workplaces MembersRegistrations are now open for the next round of nationally accredited Wellness Wise™ Practitioner training programs:
Following the initial 2-day course, participants will have access to 1-on-1 mentoring, networking opportunities and access to an online “Hub” to help embed key learnings back into the workplace. Contact Lynley for the discount code.
Sleep Awareness Week, 5-11 August 2019, Australia-wideThis year’s theme for Sleep Awareness Week in Australia is "Sleep on it - memory and problem solving". There are many different ways in which good quality sleep plays a major role in our ability to learn, to think clearly and to protect ourselves from any future harm to our brains. From infancy to old age, sleep is essential for optimal cognitive functioning. For more on the importance of sleep, check out these two resources from our members: What Do the World’s Richest Leaders Have in Common? by Sleepfit, and Check Employee Fatigue and Wellbeing for Sleep Awareness Week with Uprise.
The Thriving Workplace Event - The Serenity Collective, 27-28 August 2019, Sydney - Discount for WayAhead Workplaces MembersThis is a unique experience for those willing to be part of a brave community of Australia’s most progressive Executives and Leaders dedicated to building high energy, high performing cultures where individuals, teams and business will thrive! Get in quick - this event has SOLD OUT the past 2 years! Contact Lynley for the discount code.
Workplace Mental Health Symposium - Australian & New Zealand Mental Health Association, 2-3 September 2019, Brisbane - Discount for WayAhead Workplaces MembersGet the tools, knowledge and resources to improve mental health and build a culture of wellbeing in your organisation at the 2019 Workplace Mental Health Symposium. This inaugural event is designed to educate and promote a 360 degree approach to mental health in the workplace, with a powerful line up of 9 keynote speakers, over 40 concurrent speakers, 5 hands-on workshops, 16 interactive tabletop presentations and a range of poster displays. Contact Lynley for the discount code.
Enabling Wellbeing Master Class - The Art of Work - Discount for WayAhead Workplaces Members“What if your workplace was a place that made people well?” The Art of Work Enabling Wellbeing Master Class will challenge your current way of thinking about creating wellbeing in ways that are less obvious, more effective, and shift managing wellbeing away from ad hoc or bureaucratic initiatives to actively setting people and your organisation up for success. Contact Lynley for the discount code.
Wellbeing @ Work Event - Future of Work Insights, 26 September 2019, Sydney - Discount for WayAhead Workplaces MembersThe Wellbeing @ Work Event returns for the second year in Sydney in September 2019. The event provides HR, Reward & Benefit professionals and business leaders with the opportunity to learn from experts and their peers about the latest wellbeing developments and successes that are enhancing individual and organisational performance in companies across the world. Contact Lynley for the discount code.
Mental Health Matters Awards - WayAhead, 27 September 2019, SydneyMany of you have heard of and celebrate Mental Health Month across NSW in October each year, but did you know it is coordinated by our parent organisation WayAhead? Join us on 27 September to celebrate the winners of this year's Mental Health Matters Awards which acknowledge individuals and organisations for their outstanding work giving support to consumers, carers and the wider community and helping to destigmatise mental health. This is a really inspiring event to be part of. Purchase your ticket here. Resource orders for this year's Mental Health Month posters and fact sheets are closing 12 August, so get in quick!
Mental Health Week Events, 6-13 October 2019, QueenslandJoin hundreds of other businesses around Queensland to celebrate Queensland Mental Health Week this October. Mental Health Week helps to promote the importance of mental health and wellbeing and reduce the stigma associated with mental illness.
Safe Work Month Breakfast Forums - Workplace Health and Safety Queensland, Office of Industrial Relations, 9-31 October 2019, QueenslandWHS professionals and business leaders are invited to attend Safe Work Month Breakfast Forums held throughout Queensland in October. With an extended half-day program and high profile keynote presenters covering a diverse range of hot topics, the forums will provide delegates with new ideas and practical strategies to take back and implement in the workplace. Early bird discount closes 31 July.
Aware Awards - icare, Nominate a NSW BusinessThe icare Aware Awards recognise NSW businesses that strive to keep their people safe through their efforts. It's also an opportunity for businesses to showcase their initiatives and share best practice with industry. Nominate your own business, or a business you know, for an icare Aware Award and share your safety success stories.
Australia’s First National Suicide Prevention Adviser - Black Dog InstituteWayAhead Workplaces joins Black Dog Institute in welcoming the news that for the first time, Australia will have a dedicated adviser on suicide prevention working alongside the Prime Minister and Cabinet. "The creation of this advisory role is a welcome commitment by the Federal Government and the Prime Minister to acknowledge the need for national strategic leadership in suicide prevention," says Professor Helen Christensen from the Black Dog Institute. Resource SpotlightMy Rights Queensland - Aged and Disability Advocates AustraliaThis guide gives you information about your rights as person with disability in Queensland. You can enlarge the text or activate text-to-talk narration to find help for a wide range of issues.
How to Write More Accessible Social Media Posts - Australian Network on DisabilityWith so many organisations sharing information on social media, and so many people engaging with these platforms, it’s important to make sure the information you share is both understandable and accessible to a diverse audience. Here are steps you can take.
How to Be More Mindful at Work - The New York TimesMindfulness - paying attention to the present moment in an accepting, non-judgmental way - is a simple practice available to all. Research has shown it is also a reliable method for reducing stress, including at work. Here’s a guide to get you started.
Talking to Your Co-Workers Could be the Key to a More Productive Day - Pro Bono AustraliaAccording to new research published by Curtin University, collaborating with your colleagues and practicing mindfulness could be the answer to being more engaged at work.
5 Things You Should Know About Australia’s Parliamentary Inquiry Seeking to “Prioritise Sleep Health as a National Priority” - SleepfitSince publishing their resources in our last eNewsletter, Sleepfit, one of our amazing members, have been involved in a Parliamentary Inquiry into Sleep Health Awareness in Australia. Here are their 5 important takeaways for you and all Australians based on the Inquiry's initial findings.
How HR Can Support Employees Who Have Cancer - HRM (the news site of the Australian HR Institute)Following on from our April Sydney meeting where one of our brave members, Lily Gubbay, presented about her lived experience and the Cancer Council's resources for workplaces, here is an article from an HR perspective about supporting people at work who have been diagnosed with cancer.
Free Resources - Menopause Information Pack for Organisations (MIPO)MIPO is a research-based, free, open access suite of resources to help workplaces support menopausal transition. Their website has a range of downloadable resources to help create menopause-sensitive policies, menopause-savvy managers and menopause-friendly environments.
How to Be a Good Ally - Reconciliation AustraliaSummer May Finlay, a Yorta Yorta woman, academic, writer and public health consultant, shares her 7 tips with examples for how non-Indigenous people can be a useful ally to Aboriginal people.
Free Resources - Flexible Working DayFlexible Working Day was celebrated internationally on May 22 2019. The Flexible Working Day website is packed full of free resources for you to access all year round, including eMagazines, webinars and case studies on flexible working, FlexAbility Kits and more!
Employee Wellness Blog - TotalWellnessTotalWellness is an American national wellness services provider that provides tools and services to deliver better wellness programs. Check out their recent blog posts including 6 Ways to Encourage Employees to Focus on Their Mental Health and Want Your Employees to Live Longer? Create a Blue Zone Office.
Developing a Workplace Mental Health Strategy - SafetyWorksTraci Carse, Organisational Psychologist at SafetyWorks, one of our fantastic members, digs deeper into the nuts and bolts of developing a mental health strategy in your workplace in this webinar recording.
The Australian Building and Construction Industry Blueprint for Better Mental Health and Suicide Prevention 2018-2020 - MATES in ConstructionThe Building and Construction industry experiences significantly higher rates of suicide and mental health issues among their workers when compared to the general population. We are very proud of our members MATES in Construction, who with support from Beyond Blue, worked with the industry to develop a Blueprint for action to guide the important next steps in building a stronger framework for better mental health and suicide prevention across the industry.
Building Healthy Minds on a Mass Scale - South Australian Health and Medical Research Institute (SAHMRI)In a project lead by SAHMRI and the Department of Education and Childhood Development, South Australia is taking the use of positive psychology techniques to the next level by building healthy minds on a mass scale. You can improve your own physical and mental health with these 8 strategies suggested by SAHMRI's Mind and Brain team.
Overcoming Loneliness - InsightFollowing on from Dr Michelle Lim's presentation at our Annual Members' Forum, a recent episode of Insight was devoted to the topic of Loneliness. Insight looks at why loneliness is an increasing problem in Australia and what is - and isn’t - working to overcome it.
Free Webinars & Recordings - Future of Work InsightsWatch Future of Work Insights' webinars on-demand including "Addressing Stress and Burnout Using Positive Psychological Capital" and "Wellbeing at Work with Sue Langley." While you're online, read their article "3 Steps To Incorporate Mental Health & Wellbeing Initiatives At Your Workplace."
Feedback Wanted For Free Evidence-Based App - MoodMissionMoodMission is an evidence-based app designed to empower you to overcome feelings of depression and anxiety by discovering new and better ways of coping. Try it out, share it, and give your feedback to Abbey, an Honours Psychology student at Monash University.
Building a Psychologically Healthy and Safe Workplace - SafeWork NSWThis two part short video series will assist businesses in building a psychologically healthy and safe workplace using the SafeWork Australia guide: Work-related psychological health and safety: A systematic approach to meeting your duties. Part 1 covers Prevention and Part 2 Early Intervention.
The Mind Reader - WayAhead - Mental Health Association NSWFor general mental health and wellbeing stories, news and research, subscribe to our parent organisation's newsletter The Mind Reader. Research SpotlightThe Most Disruptive Office Distractions, Ranked - Quartz at WorkSpoiler alert: of all the distractions that come with working in an office, the biggest distraction is ourselves! Read the full results here.
At a Tipping Point? Workplace Mental Health and Wellbeing - Deloitte Centre for Health SolutionsThis Deloitte report is designed as a call to action for employers to support employee mental health and wellbeing, as well as a practical guide on how to address some of the main barriers to improvement.
9 Shocking Things That Happen to Your Brain When You Get a Phone Or Email Notification - BustleIf you check your phone throughout the day, or reach for it the moment you hear it ring, you might be surprised by the impact a simple notification can have on your brain. Whether you hear it or see it, the alert can trigger a whole host of emotions, chemical reactions and resulting side effects.
Six Ways to Protect Your Mental Health From Social Media's Dangers - The Sydney Morning HeraldMore than one-third of American adults view social media as harmful to their mental health, and just 5 per cent view social media as being positive for their mental health, according to a new survey from the American Psychiatric Association. Read one psychologist's 6 suggestions of ways people can reduce the harm social media can do to their mental health.
Culture Wins By Getting the Most Out of People - GallupIn a four-part series, Gallup examined the role culture plays in creating a successful organisation. This article, the second in the series, explores the elements necessary for successful work cultures.
Pitfalls and Solutions For Improving Your Productivity at Work - Business InsiderThe first few minutes of your workday are critical to your productivity for the rest of the day. Learn how to avoid 12 common traps that can ensnare you within the first 10 minutes of your workday. Plus, 10 ways to trick your brain into being more productive, according to a neuroscientist!
10 Workplace Trends of 2019 - HRMBased on detailed surveys with 10,000 respondents across 119 countries, Deloitte’s 2019 Human Capital Trends Report highlights some of the biggest pressure points for organisations in Australia and across the globe, while also providing actionable advice broken down into three phases: refresh, rewire and recode.
World-First Program Paves Way For Mentally Healthier Workplaces - Black Dog InstituteWorkplace mental health is becoming a priority globally, yet many managers remain uncertain how to start wellbeing conversations with their employees. A world-first online training program, HeadCoach, may help address this gap based on the latest research evidence. Well done to our members, Black Dog Institute's Workplace Mental Health Research team, for your hard work helping develop this program. Articles of InterestMental Health and an Inability to do the Job — What is a Reasonable Adjustment? - NCSA FoundationThe Federal Court of Australia has provided guidance to employers who are supporting staff with mental illness on what constitutes ‘reasonable adjustments’ and ‘unjustifiable hardship’ under the Disability Discrimination Act 1992 (Cth) in Tropoulos v Journey Lawyers Pty Ltd [2019] FCA 436. Read the case law study here.
Several AFL Players Take Time Away From the Game to Manage Their Mental Health - ABC NewsPeople forget that professional sports teams are workplaces too and are not immune from experiencing mental health and wellbeing issues in their employees. St Kilda star Jack Steven will take another extended break from the AFL to manage his mental health, with the club unsure when he will return, while Western Bulldogs premiership star Tom Boyd has retired from the sport, effective immediately.
These Are the Questions You Should Ask Instead of "Do I Have Work-Life Balance?" - Fast CompanyA self-proclaimed "astute student of productivity" believes she has found much more value from asking herself 5 simple questions, than she has in her quest since college to achieve work-life balance. Read - and ask yourself - the questions here.
Don't Wait to Live - Melli O'BrienIn our modern life, it can be easy to forget to live our life, not just go through our life, and appreciate what we have now. In her blog, "Mrs. Mindfulness" reflects on sage advice given to her when she worked with older people in nursing homes, to live fully and don't wait to live.
How Does the Body Know When to Stop Drinking Water? - Live ScienceHow does the brain know when to encourage you to stop or start drinking water? A new study conducted in mice suggests that a mysterious element in the gut may play a role.
Schizophrenia Takes Many Forms, and Heidi's Has Its Benefits - ABC NewsHeidi Everett's form of schizophrenia means she hears music. 25 years on since her diagnosis, she says it's time for society to rethink schizophrenia and the contribution those living with it could make.
Podcast: My Amazing Body - Queensland HealthMy Amazing Body is a podcast that explores interesting, unknown and misunderstood parts of your body, featuring interviews with medical experts and stories from real Queenslanders. Something a little different...Awesome Video: Dancing Construction Workers - The Chief Happiness Officer BlogA group of Canadian construction workers do a bhangra dance video to collect money for an autism charity.
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